By CandH’s norther correspondent Terry Robbins

MANCHESTER UNITED’s have signalled total indifference to the possibility of signing Declan Rice and would offer no more than £90,000-per-week wages according to senior club insiders.

And that would make Declan one of the lowest-paid players on the Old Trafford payroll – £20k a week LESS than bit-part player Jesse Lingard picks up from the Red Devils.

Declan is reigning Hammer of the Year

ClaretandHugh revealed last month United scouts had flagged concerns regarding a supposed lack of pace from our Dec and had drawn up a list of other midfield targets for United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Along with a valuation closer to £70m, it’s understood United let it be known through their own intermediaries they would not be prepared to pay Dec more than £90,000-per-week  – £4.6m annually – an insulting figure   to a player who is holding down the England engine room.

Our sources in Manchester recently informed us that City boss Pep Guardiola and his staff have likened Rice to Barcelona’s legendary midfield enforcer Sergio Busquets, so quite what’s going on in the minds of United’s decision makers is beyond fathoming

 Our United contact insisted: “You have to wonder what game United might be playing – £90,000-per-week for a player they seemingly don’t rate highly enough anyway?

 “Anyhow, it appears this has been relayed from behind the scenes at United  – the message is loud and clear – even if they did make a surprise U-turn on Rice, the early charm offensive leaves plenty to be desired and the player could earn double that elsewhere.”

In reality, Declan is going nowhere having made it clear recently he wants Euro League football with the Hammers following his family’s decision to give up their Chelsea season tickets in favour of the Irons.