Manchester United must accept reality check in race to sign Declan Rice ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City

On joining Manchester United in 1978, Gordon McQueen made a claim that some supporters at Old Trafford still cling onto and parrot today.

‘Ask all the players in the country which club they would like to play for and 99 percent would say Manchester United. The other one percent are liars,’ said McQueen.

While clearly an exaggeration of sorts, McQueen wasn’t too wide of the mark. Even during the barren years of the 1970s and 80s, United still held an allure and were able to attract the best players in the country. From Ray Wilkins to Bryan Robson, the country’s best still wanted to join the club in spite of its position. It goes without saying that the Sir Alex Ferguson era transformed the club, making United not only the biggest draw in England but – at points – the world too.

The club’s financial power has meant that their drop-off in stature since Ferguson’s retirement has not been as drastic but the reality is that United are back in a similar position to where they were in the 70s and 80s, only they’re now competing in a far more competitive market. They are no longer realistic title challengers, only briefly flirting with the idea each season to end their nine-year wait for the championship. Even the ‘lesser’ trophies have dried up, with Jose Mourinho the last manager to bring silverware to Old Trafford in 2017.

United’s problem is that they’re no longer the biggest fish in the pond. Where once only Liverpool could offer the same pulling power as United, now the Red Devils are out-powered by the lure of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, the chance of playing under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool and the prospect of silverware at Chelsea. That’s before the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham even come into contention.

Ac