Man Utd’s five midfield targets: the cases for and against

Manchester United’s priority for the summer transfer window is said to be a central midfielder. But which one? 

Here are some of the arguments for and against five of the most often linked targets…

Declan Rice

For

The England international has proved himself to be just the man United need to anchor their midfield. Rice initially carved out a reputation as a screener and this season has shown his credentials as a box-to-boxer.

Rice has made more interceptions than anyone in the top flight and only Brentford’s Christian Norgaard has made more combined tackles and interceptions than the 23-year-old’s total of 147.

There seems very little risk with Rice. United know exactly what they would be getting and that certainty usually comes at a premium. About that…

Against

United will have to break their transfer record and almost certainly the Premier League’s for most expensive signing if they want to get Rice out of West Ham.

The player would almost certainly like to take the next step (assuming it’s not a lateral move between West Ham and United come the end of the season) and the Irons, under no pressure to offload with Rice under contract until 2025, could sell a huge deal to their fanbase. But that would require United to cough up in excess of £100million.

Would they do that, especially if they aren’t in the Champions League next season? United might find themselves shopping with a tighter budget.

Kalvin Phillips

For

If United can’t get Rice, perhaps they might opt for his mate in England’s midfield.

Phillips’ quality has been emphasised by how badly he’s been missed by Leeds during his recent injury-enforced absence. He’s not the only player Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch have been without, but Phillips seems like the