That area of the field should have been a priority for the Red Devils during the previous summer transfer window, given the fact that the majority of fans and pundits were well aware that Fred, Scott McTominay, and Nemanja Matic were never going to be enough in that defensive midfield department, and that Paul Pogba and Donny van de Beek had also failed to deliver.

And now what? In the meantime, Paul Pogba is almost certain to leave the club on a free transfer, and Van de Beek is having a disappointing loan term at Everton, compounding an already precarious situation in midfield.

If the club does not qualify for the Champions League, the Athletic reports that the club's transfer market could be a struggle because of that uncertainty. Ajax wonderkid Ryan Gravenberch is listed as a possible target for a new midfielder, however he desires to join Bayern Munich.

United's contract with Paul Pogba expires soon.

Sports network ESPN has connected the England international with both Manchester United and Chelsea, with the Sun reporting that he may command a record-breaking £120million transfer fee. In any case, that is unquestionably the going rate in today's market for one of the best English midfield all-rounders since Steven Gerrard.

In spite of the fact that Rice has ties to Chelsea, the Blues might be a major contender in this transfer battle, but Manchester United may have an ace up their sleeves in the form of Marcus Rashford.

Rice to Manchester United: Rashford the key?
West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford because of his uncertainty over his future, according to a report from 90 minutes.

United might try to take advantage of West Ham's interest in the 24-year-old, who hasn't grown as quickly as many had hoped and is no longer a guaranteed starter in this team. Could they use West Ham's interest in him to try to get an advantage in the race for Rice?

Declan Rice and Marcus Rashford to be swapped?

It's difficult to tell if West Ham would prefer to sign Rashford purely for financial reasons, but they would be acquiring a proven Premier League goal-scorer who would immediately improve what has been a problem position at the club for some time.

Moyes has been unduly reliant on goal scorers like Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen, so the signing of a quick and clinical forward like Rashford would definitely cushion the blow of losing Rice.

Overall, this appears to be a transaction that would be beneficial to all parties involved, and United would be crazy not to give it a shot.