Erik ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both wanted same signing at Man Utd but 'pushback' saw him join Premier League rivals instead

Erik ten Hag and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to make the same signing during their time as Manchester United manager but after internal pushbacks, they were beaten to his signature by Arsenal.

Earlier this year, Solskjaer admitted that his former side should have signed Declan Rice during his spell as United boss.

"I really like him [Declan Rice] as a player – we’ve discussed him a few times, and I think we would’ve done well with him in midfield,’ he said on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet.

"His legs, covering the pitch, and I think he improved a lot on his playmaking as well. Obviously, he would’ve cost some money, but we could’ve and should’ve gone for him."

Back in May, former United boss Erik ten Hag agreed that Rice would have "absolutely fitted in" at United but after stalling on a move last summer, Arsenal signed the midfielder for a club record fee of around £100 million.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Talk of the Devils podcast, Andy Mitten and Laurie Whitwell from The Athletic discussed Rice's performance against Manchester United on Wednesday.

They also touched on him being tracked by United before his move to Arsenal. On the podcast, Mitten claims 'senior people' at United wanted to Rice. "Solskjaer wanted him," he added. "Ten Hag wanted him."

Whitwell also chipped in, saying: "There was some pushback internally though as well amongst the scouts, who debated whether he was good enough for United."

Solskjaer was a big admirer of Rice. Image credit: Getty

United should have made a move for Rice last summer, according to Rio Ferdinand, who believes the midfielder would have helped the dressing room culture with his "attitude and likeability".

Speaking on his YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, the former defender said: "Declan Rice, I said it before Man Utd he was the player I would’ve 100% gone and got."

He continued: "You could argue there’s midfielders with more ability than him but I would argue that it’s only Jude Bellingham that comes near him in terms of being able to get into a dressing room and trying to get control of that dressing room and get the respect of that dressing room on day two, three, four, straight away.

"Not only with performances and standards and helping with the culture and the environment but the attitude and the likeability factor, the respect factor that he would get straight away."

Ferdinand added: "That’s why I thought he more than anybody it was important that Man United should’ve gone and got and they allowed Arsenal to go and get him."