Smith backs Rice to succeed at Man Utd amid transfer links

Former Man Utd player Alan Smith has backed Declan Rice to succeed at Old Trafford if he does make a big switch in the summer.

Rice has been heavily linked with Chelsea for months, but it was recently revealed that Man Utd will rival them for his signature.

That’s set up a transfer race in 2021 which could see the two clubs submit huge bids for the Englishman.

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Smith believes Rice would be a success in Manchester if he did decide to move.

Speaking recently, Smith said: “I like Declan Rice as a player and I think he would be a great addition. He is a British-based player, which obviously helps. I think he’s one that is a bit more old school than a lot of defensive midfield players are now.”

However, signing Rice could come at the cost of current midfielder Scott McTominay.

He appears regularly under boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and is held in high esteem at the club.

Speaking about McTominay, Smith said: “It all depends on how good Scott McTominay is going to be, as you don’t want to get someone like-for-like that is already coming through the system.

“He’s obviously someone that Ole holds in high regard, he sees him in training every day, and you wouldn’t want to block the pathway of a young lad coming through the United system.

“If he [Rice] is someone that can go in there and virtually guarantee you a league title then obviously you’d say yes, but have you got someone in there that you’d be swapping like-for-like?

“Young players bring inconsistency. Young players get all the plaudits, but it’s the experienced players that keep everything going.”