Declan Rice has given Manchester United yet another reason to sign him

Intelligence. Discipline. Passing acumen. Graceful carrying the ball forward. Unrelenting in a tackle. .

Declan Rice's qualities have been obvious to see for a long time, as has how much Manchester United need a player of his calibre in the heart of their team.

United have been in desperate need of a new midfielder for a while now. But like a magpie that leaves the worm for the diamond, they just can't help themselves and instead have spent recent transfer windows repeatedly adding to their bulging attacking options.

Jadon Sancho had been chased for some time before he finally arrived in the summer and the move was justified as a new right-winger was needed, but the further addition of Cristiano Ronaldo later in the same window was clearly not planned.

It was done so in a blind panic at the prospect of him going to the blue half of Manchester instead.

It was a signing based on social media engagement and shirt sales rather than a need for a player of his undeniable, but fading, quality. An overindulgence.

While the bodywork continued to get fresh paint, the engine was left in a state of creaking disrepair.

Paul Pogba prefers to play further forward and is too attack-minded to play a deeper role, Nemanja Matic can no longer play well more than once a week, and Donny van de Beek never got a look in.

As a result, United have preserved with the tired partnership of Fred and Scott McTominay which — even though both players have had good individual moments and performances — has never worked on a consistent basis.

Any side with a capable midfield who can knock the ball around nicely can — and do — dominate United in the middle of the park. The Wolves duo of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho had a field day in their victory