'One or the other' - Andy Cole believes Manchester United player prevented them from signing Declan Rice

Manchester United favourite Andy Cole is not convinced Declan Rice would have been the right player to solve a problem position for Erik ten Hag - despite his impressive form since joining Arsenal.

England midfielder Rice swapped West Ham for the Gunners this summer in a £105million transfer. At one point he was on the radar for key figures at Old Trafford before Ten Hag was appointed.

The former Ajax manager has made five signings in Rice's positions since he took charge last summer. They include Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Mason Mount, while Marcel Sabitzer and Sofyan Amrabat were two loan additions.

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However, while ex-United striker Cole admits Rice is someone at the top of his game, he also reckons there would be no room for him and Casemiro in the same midfield. Casemiro is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem as Rice, 24, continues to wow at the Emirates Stadium.

Cole told Betfred: "I hear all that chat and do get it, but Manchester United bought Casemiro last summer. You can have one or the other, but you can't make two marquee signings in the same position.

"Declan Rice went to Arsenal for £105million and Casemiro joined United for £60million. They weren't going to sign Casemiro one summer and Rice the next.

"United needed to sign a striker this summer firstly, which they did, and then they decided to buy a goalkeeper too. Where would they have found the money to sign Declan? Would Declan have made a bigger impact at United than he has at Arsenal? Would signing Declan result in United being higher up in the table? I'm not sure."

Cole, 52, added: "I'm aware how well he's doing