Man Utd urged to replace Paul Pogba with the 'best midfielder in the world'

Teddy Sheringham has urged Manchester United to sign ‘best midfielder in the world’ Declan Rice this summer to replace Paul Pogba.

French World Cup winner Pogba looks set to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season as talks over a contract extension have stalled.

Pogba has largely flattered to deceive over the course of his two spells at Manchester United, with the club going through a difficult period and only winning the Europa League and EFL Cup since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

United have been heavily linked with a move for England midfielder Rice over the past 24 months and former Red Devils striker Sheringham says he would be an ‘upgrade’ on Pogba.

Rice has been one of the most consistent players in the Premier League since the start of last season and helped England reach the European Championship final last summer.

Sheringham, who also enjoyed a spell at West Ham as a player, told Lord Ping: ‘It’s going to be hard for West Ham to keep Declan Rice.

‘I spoke to West Ham supporters and said, “he is the best midfielder in the world at the moment”. I rate him highly. He’s got everything a central midfielder needs.

‘He understands the game, he’s got good pace, he can control the ball, pass it, make good tackles and get forward.

‘He has the stature of Steven Gerrard in midfield – he’s that dominant now that even when he’s getting closed down, he’s got good pace and power about him that he can get away from midfielders. That’s very unusual to have that in a central midfield position. 

‘[Declan would be an upgrade on Pogba] because he is the best midfielder in the world. Pogba is a talented boy, but leads with the wrong character.

‘He doesn’t inspire people around him, he doesn’t inspire his supporters around him whereas someone like Declan does. You want to roll with him, the way he plays the game.’

Manchester United have endured another turbulent season under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and current boss Ralf Rangnick, failing to win 15 of their 28 Premier League games.

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The Red Devils were thrashed 4-1 by Manchester rivals City at the Etihad on Sunday as they lost more ground in the top-four race.

Sheringham added: ‘Manchester United need a [Roy] Keane-like figure at the club. I was quite excited when he was going to go back into management at Sunderland, but it never materialised for whatever reason.

‘He is old school and sometimes you need to go back to old school and get your priorities right about how to run a football club.

‘Manchester United aren’t being run anywhere near to how it should be. That is absurd for a club the stature of Manchester United.’

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