The lack of quality in attacking midfield has been a concern for a number of years for United fans.
We didn’t see the area strengthened this summer despite reported interest in Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
So far as manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been consistent in selecting Jesse Lingard in the role, when he chooses to play a 4-3-3 formation, as he did away to Wolves on Monday night.
Lingard is a useful cog in Solskjaer’s high pressing system, but where he’s lacking is on the ball, and that shouldn’t be the case for any Manchester United number 10.
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The 26-year-old should now be in his prime, and delivering the goal contributions needed to assist Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, whom Solskjaer is very much reliant upon in attack.
But, apart from December, where he registered four goals and two assists, Lingard has not contributed to a single Manchester United goal in the calendar year.
For all his endeavours off the ball, more quality surely has to be demanded, and he should be dropped to give someone else a run in the team.
Almost as a collective, it seems as though United fans want to see 18-year-old star Angel Gomes promoted to the first-team and given his chance. The academy graduate is one of the most highly-rated youngsters the Reds have produced in recent times.
Gomes made his first-team debut two seasons ago under Jose Mourinho and has not looked overawed whenever he has played for the Reds.
The youngster shone in pre-season and scored a stunning individual goal against Tottenham, perhaps the highlight of the tour as well as his early career.
What makes Gomes so dangerous is his unpredictability; he is so sharp around the box and his quick feet can make defenders look silly.
He can operate centrally but also drift wide into area of space to provide for Martial or Rashford, and looked assured in a central midfield role as Neil Woods u23s knocked out League 1 opposition Rotherham in the EFL trophy.
Gomes didn’t make either of the two opening Premier League match day squads, so it seems unlikely he will be thrust into action against Palace tomorrow.
But he should at least feature during the game as Solskjaer should go all-out-attack against Roy Hodgson’s low-scoring side who will inevitably set up with a defensive approach.
We’d love to see Gomes start ahead of the likes of Lingard and Mata and see how he fares in a central role against Premier League opposition.
