Declan Rice

[FrankDrebin]

As an all-out defensive midfielder I think he's got some promise but, concerning United, I would still want much more from a central player other than one who's sole mission is to stop the opposition and play it simple.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

To be fair, I don't put any blame on Kane. The team was not set up to help his cause. If you're playing with 2 defensive minded footballers at least have a proper number 10 in the team. Mount was mainly playing around the halfway line either by design or circumstances. Only the coaches can answer that question.

Can’t disagree with any of that. However all the pundits were saying how effective he was in the first half, then Italy changed their shape. We never adapted

 

[Inigo Montoya]

England´s midfield could not create almost anything yesterday. They were lucky to get that fast goal and after that only tried to defend. Rice was good option for that but when Italy scored a goal, there was no creativity in midfield. He offers nothing else. I still say it, typical 30M player who would cost at least double. No thanks. We have already have Fred and McTominay.

I’d add that McT offers you a greater goal threat

 

[charlenefan]

He was good yesterday but he didn't do anything I haven't seen McTominay do on occasions and given yesterday was Rice's best game by far suggests similar inconsistencies

 

[Arran_Devil]

Honestly, I believe McTominay’s ceiling is higher than Rice’s.

 

[Hammondo]

Very good defensively, but if we want to play away from the defensive setups like England, and into a more dominant setup then he wont work.

 

[11101]

He was actually quite decent. We knew Italy would control the midfield but he let them pass it around and focused on keeping them out of dangerous areas. It was only after Mancini changed tactics and he got tired that he struggled.

 

[RUCK4444]

As an all-out defensive midfielder I think he's got some promise but, concerning United, I would still want much more from a central player other than one who's sole mission is to stop the opposition and play it simple.

Agree, unless the player is costing a lot less than this one is.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Agree, unless the player is costing a lot less than this one is.

I'm interested to see how he continues to develop for West Ham next season, as I can't see anyone buying him this summer.

I certainly appreciated him more as England progressed, I must add.

 

[Nick7]

He was actually quite decent. We knew Italy would control the midfield but he let them pass it around and focused on keeping them out of dangerous areas. It was only after Mancini changed tactics and he got tired that he struggled.

yeah, the Immobile/Berardi sub really fecked with the England midfield. They were doing a good job before that. Southgate had no answer to it, and Italy started to prosper.

 

[cyberman]

He was actually quite decent. We knew Italy would control the midfield but he let them pass it around and focused on keeping them out of dangerous areas. It was only after Mancini changed tactics and he got tired that he struggled.

Isnt that a problem? We knew the midfield would get dominated and it was just accepted?
Verrati never dominated a game like that v Scott and Fred.

 

[westmeath]

I didn’t think he was great yesterday. Italy bossed midfield and Philips looked a much better player than him. In any event, he is definitely not worth what West Ham are looking for.

 

[11101]

Isnt that a problem? We knew the midfield would get dominated and it was just accepted?
Verrati never dominated a game like that v Scott and Fred.

It is a problem, but it's not Rice's problem. Southgate accepted it and set us up to sit back and let them control the ball.

 

[cyberman]

It is a problem, but it's not Rice's problem. Southgate accepted it and set us up to sit back and let them control the ball.

I don't think thats true because Rice had licence to go and press in the first half. He seemed to drop back on his own accord and would explain why he was brought off for a more dynamic (maybe) Henderson.

 

[RUCK4444]

I'm interested to see how he continues to develop for West Ham next season, as I can't see anyone buying him this summer.

I certainly appreciated him more as England progressed, I must add.

I liked him in the first half of last nights game, they actually missed him when he went off as Henderson was woeful.

Agree, probably best for him to develop another year at West Ham before anybody blows their budget on him.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I liked him in the first half of last nights game, they actually missed him when he went off as Henderson was woeful.

Agree, probably best for him to develop another year at West Ham before anybody blows their budget on him.

You mean Chelsea

 

[FrankDrebin]

I liked him in the first half of last nights game, they actually missed him when he went off as Henderson was woeful.

Agree, probably best for him to develop another year at West Ham before anybody blows their budget on him.

Yep, Henderson was totally non-existent and he's one of our main guys.

 

[MDFC Manager]

He was good yesterday but he didn't do anything I haven't seen McTominay do on occasions and given yesterday was Rice's best game by far suggests similar inconsistencies

I'm amazed that people think he was excellent today in the context of him being suitable or aspirational for our (United) midfield. He adds nothing new, and whatever he does add, isn't a significant improvement at all. People will still be pulling hairs whilst teams shit on our midfield and/or while our midfield fails to do anything of note.

 

[Hulksmash]

He's so bad at the ball, like Italy didn't even tried that hard and still dominated possession.

 

[VorZakone]

Bang average. United should stay away. Let others frustrate themselves over how limited he is.

 

[OleBoiii]

Is he really that much better than McTominay or Fred? And more importantly: how is his passing?

McTominay and Fred are both good players, but they aren't very good at passing the ball and keeping possession, which is kind of crucial when you play CM/DM. That's ultimately what we need. Having McTominay or Fred in the starting XI isn't the issue. The issue is when both start consistently.

 

[VorZakone]

Is he really that much better than McTominay or Fred? And more importantly: how is his passing?

McTominay and Fred are both good players, but they aren't very good at passing the ball and keeping possession, which is kind of crucial when you play CM/DM. That's ultimately what we need. Having McTominay or Fred in the starting XI isn't the issue. The issue is when both start consistently.

Not better than McTominay or Fred.

 

[Idxomer]

He looks so awkward with the ball whenever he is in possession, even his runs yesterday were so forced.

 

[Kaos]

I'm changing my tone I think, I was quite keen on us breaking the bank for him, but after watching him more extensively in the Euros, I do now think its a classic case of an English player being ridiculously overhyped. I'm starting to think he wouldn't be too much an upgrade on McFred, certainly not for the fee West Ham are demanding. Hope we manage to get Camavinga over the line.

 

[Dosse]

Is he really that much better than McTominay or Fred? And more importantly: how is his passing?

McTominay and Fred are both good players, but they aren't very good at passing the ball and keeping possession, which is kind of crucial when you play CM/DM. That's ultimately what we need. Having McTominay or Fred in the starting XI isn't the issue. The issue is when both start consistently.

Tbh i think Fred on a good day can throw a couple of juicy passes! But no, i dont think based on the latest NT starts for Rice, that he is the midfield gem we need.

 

[Scottynaldinho]

He's a 35m squad filler who could push for the first team from time to time when going through a purple patch. He's not a midfielder I'd want to either shield the defence or control the tempo.

I cannot believe you guys have been able to put on 182 pages worth of content for this. Quite an achievement.

 

[DWelbz19]

Similar to Mctominay, his best game usually happens when his team plays the worst football.

He is pretty much McTominay, but better defensively

We need players like Verratti and Barella in midfield

Metronome midfield players

Agree with both of these posts. We need central midfielders who play their best football with, not without the ball.

 

[Sandikan]

Amazing how differently people see things.
I'm no Rice fan but thought he was a brilliant version of himself first half yesterday.
Even put in some great runs that relieved pressure which is not in his job description.

 

[bond19821982]

Amazing how differently people see things.
I'm no Rice fan but thought he was a brilliant version of himself first half yesterday.
Even put in some great runs that relieved pressure which is not in his job description.

He will thrive when you defend with 7 man and he will do that occasional great runs.

Problem is,, You play him against a packed defence and he is if no use. Don't get me wrong, there is a player in Rice but not worth the money Westham is asking. I will stick with McT.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Amazing how differently people see things.
I'm no Rice fan but thought he was a brilliant version of himself first half yesterday.
Even put in some great runs that relieved pressure which is not in his job description.

Because we can see the bigger picture.

How often are United in that sort of situation? maybe 4/5 times as season?

We are usually the ones piling on the pressure and that is not where he excels.

He is good at doing what he did yesterday, sitting in a tightly packed team and nicking the ball, but that's about it.

All this "he'll make us defensively stronger, a 1 man midfield" just needs to look at how he got mugged off by Chiesa in a 1v1.

 

[Escobar]

He was good yesterday but he didn't do anything I haven't seen McTominay do on occasions and given yesterday was Rice's best game by far suggests similar inconsistencies

He's twice as good as McT

 

[VorZakone]

He's twice as good as McT

Is he, really?

 

[The White Pele]

Really disappointed by him last night. There was a moment in the first half when he hoofed a loose ball clear into Italy’s half and out of play as if it were the last minute of the game. Needed to be braver, more composed and trust his ability.

 

[Sandikan]

He will thrive when you defend with 7 man and he will do that occasional great runs.

Problem is,, You play him against a packed defence and he is if no use. Don't get me wrong, there is a player in Rice but not worth the money Westham is asking. I will stick with McT.

Because we can see the bigger picture.

How often are United in that sort of situation? maybe 4/5 times as season?

We are usually the ones piling on the pressure and that is not where he excels.

He is good at doing what he did yesterday, sitting in a tightly packed team and nicking the ball, but that's about it.

All this "he'll make us defensively stronger, a 1 man midfield" just needs to look at how he got mugged off by Chiesa in a 1v1.

Yep these are fair points.
We sort of need the impossible really. A guy with the defensive mentality, but who is the playmaker too.
Very few are both.

 

[Alive She Cried]

I'm honestly baffled at some of the comments here, Italy's midfield completely controlled the game after the first 20 minutes. Rice is nowhere near the solution to our defensive midfield problem, he's just another version of McTominay. We need someone with genuine passing ability.

 

[B20]

Honestly, I believe McTominay’s ceiling is higher than Rice’s.

It is.

 

[VorZakone]

Just curious, would Rice be praised in Germany, Brazil, Italy or Spain? And I mean really praised, not just tolerated because you don't have other options in midfield.

 

[Judas]

Really disappointed by him last night. There was a moment in the first half when he hoofed a loose ball clear into Italy’s half and out of play as if it were the last minute of the game. Needed to be braver, more composed and trust his ability.

Bit bizarre to point out that one early moment when he was pretty brilliant for the rest of the game? Maguire smashed one clear wildly too, really disappointed by him too?

 

[Nou_Camp99]

I think it's incredible we got to the final with Rice and Phillips in the side tbh. I wouldn't want either of them in the United team and I doubt Italy, Spain, France, Belgium etc are looking at our national team and wishing they had either of them.

 

[charlenefan]

Is he, really?

No