Declan Rice and Arsenal have given Manchester United what they needed

Few eyelids would have been batted had you predicted 12 months ago that Declan Rice would take to the field as Manchester United prepared to face Arsenal.

United had courted the England midfielder since Jose Mourinho’s tenure as they attempted to shore up a midfield barely worthy of a place in the Europa League. One year into Erik ten Hag's reign as United boss and the club are now preparing to retake their place among the continent’s elite in the Champions League, with the Dutchman boasting a midfield befitting of a place at Europe’s top table.

However, while Rice was indeed in attendance at the MetLife Stadium on Saturday, he would don a strip that wouldn’t look out of place on the Slytherin changing room floor – one for the Harry Potter fans there – as opposed to United red.

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West Ham’s extortionate asking price meant Rice was never likely to rock up at the Old Trafford gates, though Mikel Arteta’s desire to prove Arsenal’s recent title tilt was no fluke meant the Hammers got what they wanted all along.

Paying £105million for a player who had not long entered the final 12 months of his deal seems ridiculous, with Jude Bellingham’s move to Real Madrid for an initial £88.5m making the Gunners’ business seem even more bizarre.

United have often been guilty of paying over the odds for players, with clubs keen to take advantage of the so-called 'United tax', but the club should be commended for their refusal to bow to West Ham’s demands.

Rice represents a rare transfer win for Old Trafford chiefs, especially given the fact