Manchester United told they could sign their next Roy Keane with £100m summer transfer

Paul Ince has compared West Ham United star Declan Rice with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane, insisting the transfer target is a "box-to-box" midfielder.

Rice, who turned 23 last month, has been identified by United as their top target to strengthen their holding midfield options during this upcoming summer's transfer window.

United are in desperate need of adding fresh blood to their midfield options and Rice is right at the very top of the club's wish list, so much so that the framework for how a deal can be constructed to lure him to Old Trafford was discussed as far back as last September.

Although Rice is primarily considered as a midfielder that sits deep and offers protection to the defensive line behind him, his tally of four goals and four assists in all competitions this season highlights that he is not afraid to venture forward and offer support in the final third.

Therefore, in the opinion of former United man Ince, the Hammers midfielder is typical box-to-box midfielder, comparing him with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard and former Reds star Keane.

"Declan Rice has been outstanding in the last year, probably the best midfielder in the Premier League," Ince told Genting Casino. "It's always tough as a West Ham boy to leave your home club, but when teams like United come calling it’s the next step.

"He's one of those players that can do that and then go on to Barcelona and win titles. But at the moment he's captain of West Ham, playing under a good manager in Moyes and they're vying for the Champions League spots.

"If they get fourth he might want to stay. He's a player any team would need - all of this stupid talk about numbers and whether he's a six or a four or an eight, he's a box to box