Manchester United told the player they must sign in January to help Paul Pogba

Manchester United must sign Declan Rice in January if they want Paul Pogba to play in a more advanced role, says former England defender Stuart Pearce.

West Ham United midfielder Rice has been linked with a £90million switch to United.

The 20-year-old has impressed for club and country, starting both of England’s recent Euro 2020 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Kosovo.

So far this season, Pogba has often played in a two-man midfield alongside Scotland international Scott McTominay.

However, Pearce does not think he has the discipline for that role and needs to play further up the pitch.

The pundit reckons Rice is the right profile of player to slot in behind Pogba in the United midfield.

“I think it’s the balance situation, where are you going to play Pogba?” Pearce said on The Debate.

“Slightly deeper or let him have his head and run around a little bit?

“At times I see him lose possession of the ball and I don’t see someone breaking his neck getting back and getting goal side helping out.

“If you’re accepting of him being more advanced then you’ve got to have players behind him that are going to balance that off a little bit.

“Declan falls into that category, he is doing it for England but it’s the balance that you want within that three midfield Players.”