5 free agents Manchester United could sign in January

Declan Rice (West Ham United)

A versatile teenager capable of playing as a centre back or defensive midfielder, Declan Rice is one of the most promising players to have emerged from West Ham’s academy of late.

Having made his debut for the Hammers’ senior squad on the last day of the 2016/17 season, the 19-year-old established himself as a regular for them last season.

He’s played in 8 league matches in 2018/19, mostly in midfield alongside Mark Noble.

Rice is a proficient tackler of the ball. He’s also technically adept, which explains why he’s been utilised as a midfielder so much by Manuel Pellegrini, and also by the Irish national team, for whom he has 3 caps.

So far, he’s displayed incredible maturity for a teenager. Defensive midfield is a position that requires tremendous experience and discipline, and Rice has been more than up to the task.

With Nemanja Matic turning 30 last August and coming under a lot of fire recently for his performances, who better to replace him than a promising, young, utility player with Premier League experience?

You’re probably thinking that West Ham would be foolish not to renew his contract, but Rice is reportedly demanding twice of what he’s been offered so far, which is around £15,000 per week.

Wages will be no issue for United, and Rice might also solve the centre back problem that Mourinho has been facing lately.

They must move fast though, with several other elite English clubs sniffing around the Irishman’s contract stand-off at West Ham.