Erik ten Hag has one-year trial to put Manchester United in contention for dream transfer

As West Ham United's and Declan Rice's Europa League dream came to an end in Frankfurt on Thursday evening, so did their dream of a Champions League adventure next season.

The Hammers travelled to Germany knowing that they had to win to stand any chance of reaching the final of the Europa League following their 2-1 defeat in the first leg at the London Stadium seven days earlier. Hampered by Aaron Cresswell's 17th-minute red card, David Moyes' side failed to find the goals they needed to get the chance to win their first major European honour since 1965, instead being beaten 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate.

Rice, like the rest of his teammates, cut a dejected figure at full-time. His dream of lifting the Europa League trophy aloft in Seville was over, as were his hopes of representing the Hammers in the Champions League next season.

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The midfielder, who will be hoping to help England win their first trophy since 1966 at the World Cup later this year, is now going to be the subject of even greater speculation over the summer following this result. The best West Ham will be able to offer him next season will be Europa League football, although the Europa Conference League, unfortunately for him and the club, remains a distinct possibility.

Had Manchester United reached greater heights this season and put themselves in the running for Champions League football next term, they could have been rubbing their hands together at Thursday night's outcome in Frankfurt. Instead, they also face the grim reality of opening their turnstiles on Thursday evenings next term as opposed to Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

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