Declan Rice picks Manchester United star when asked to name Premier League's best midfielders

Declan Rice has named a Manchester United star as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.

United's problems in central midfield have cost them dearly this season, with many fans of the opinion that their inability to sign a world-class number six has cost them a shot at a much more memorable campaign.

Despite this, Rice showed no hesitation in picking out Paul Pogba when asked to name the top five midfielders in the Premier League.

Speaking to BT Sport, the 23-year-old said: "He gets criticised and people say what they think of him but he is honestly one of the top three players I have ever played against.

"He is just so strong, so good on the ball.

"He can take the ball under a crazy amount of pressure and get out of it with unbelievable skill.

"He knows how to play one-touch, two-touch, play long passes.

"He is so, so good and I think obviously you see the best of him when he plays for France, and since he came to the Premier League there has been a lot of opinions on him but he is unbelievable and a top player as well."

Rice went on to point to a game United won 4-0 in 2017 that proved to the England international just how good the Frenchman can be.

"My second game for West Ham was actually at Old Trafford and we lost 4-0," he explained.

"I came on with half an hour to go and he ran the show.

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"I remember going into a 50-50 with him and I hit him and remember thinking: 'What have I just ran into?' He was like rock solid.

"But I always love playing against Paul Pogba as it is a good battle and he is a real top player."

MEN Sport understands that Rice is one of the players United are looking at to add to their squad.

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