Keane has already told Man United why they should revive Declan Rice pursuit

Roy Keane has already told Manchester United why they should revive their pursuit of Declan Rice by offering up a stark U-turn on the West Ham captain. Rice, 23, will lead out the Hammers at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon (4.15pm) as the two sides collide in the Premier League.

Despite concerns over his valuation - with the Londoners expected to command nine figures - Rice was the priority target for United this summer before Erik ten Hag was appointed as manager. At that stage, attention was switched to Barcelona playmaker Frenkie de Jong although he, ultimately, stayed put at Camp Nou.

Ten Hag went on to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid to address long-standing issues in central midfield. But will United make another addition in that department in time for next season?

De Jong will, naturally, continue to be linked, while Rice will only have two years to run on his contract next summer. Keane is a huge admirer of Rice, meanwhile, despite him initially dishing up one or two damning words about the all-action Chelsea graduate. But the United great has taken it all back as he prepares to cast his eye on Rice this weekend.

Speaking about him last season, Keane said: "I think he would [improve United]. Declan's improved as much as any player over the last one or two seasons.

"He's been linked with United. If you'd asked me a year or two ago, I'd have thought give him another year or two in terms of maturity, but I look to where I was at 22 [now 23] and he's way ahead of where I was at 22."

Back in 2019, though, his verdict was not so glowing. Keane said: "Over the last few months he's had a lot of praise and I worked with him when he was with the Ireland squad.

"Where he needs to improve... where do you want me to start? His positional play, I don't think that he's consistent enough, he doesn't stay with runners, sloppy in possession. I can go on."