Manchester City will send an early riposte to Erik ten Hag by joining the summer battle for West Ham's £100million England star Declan Rice.
City, who have been gazumped by United in recent years for Alexis Sanchez and Cristiano Ronaldo, are ready to back Pep Guardiola in the transfer market and dent Ten Hag's impact at Old Trafford following his appointment last week.
Though a deal for £63million Dortmund striker Erling Haaland has already been agreed, City bosses have made it clear they can go after Rice as well with club captain Fernandinho departing to leave a vacancy in midfield.