According to Manchester Evening News, former Manchester United mentor Nicky Butt accepts that Declan Rice is currently not the club’s ultimate need.
The Red Devils have been linked to the signing of the West Ham captain in this summer transfer window. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as of now has a rich pool of midfielders available to him. Fred and Scott McTominay have been supported in the midfield positions with Nemanja Matic ending up being a strong rotational player.
Paul Pogba has been playing generally at the flanks since Solksjaer already has a wealth of options at other places. Even Donny Van De Beek can play in the same position that Rice plays for West Ham. Having a holding midfielder like Declan Rice will assist Pogba with dropping back in the midfield spot.
Nonetheless, Nicky Butt accepts that United as of now has a player who can play out a decent job in midfield.
Nicky Butt said: “For me, next season has to be about getting some silverware back in that trophy cabinet. It’s about getting the right players who will allow you to challenge for trophies. It’s a winning club, so we can’t go this long without silverware. I think Man United is solid enough in midfield. I keep hearing things about Declan Rice, but is he a better player than Scott McTominay? I’m not sure; I think with McTominay, Paul Pogba and obviously Bruno Fernandes, we’re in a good place in the middle of the park.”
Nicky Butt was also asked about the position that Manchester United needs to bolster heading into the new season. Even he said that United should target a strong center-back.
He said: “The biggest thing that needs addressing for me at Manchester United this summer is that center-back position; we need a partner for Harry Maguire. Everyone talks about Raphael Varane. I understand he’s a little bit older than most people would perhaps like, but you just have to go back to the days of Teddy Sheringham. I think we bought him when he was 32, and we went and won the treble with him. If Varane is available, then I’d go all out for him.”
The Real Madrid star is one of only a handful few A-List players who have been linked to a move to Old Trafford this mid-year. His contract with the Los Blancos is expected to end next season and is yet to pen down a new contract.
It is accepted that the La Liga goliaths will support selling the player this summer as opposed to letting him leave on a free transfer next year. Varane has been a strong centre-back target for the Red Devils, having attempted to sign him before during the 2011 and 2018 seasons.
Manchester United should land Raphael Varane to increase their chances of lifting a trophy next season.
