Manchester United have conducted their business brilliantly this summer.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made three signings so far — Tom Heaton on a Bosman, Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund and the world-class Raphael Varane from Real Madrid — but there’s one key area of the team that still needs strengthening.
With less than two weeks to go until transfer deadline day, I wanted to dive into the area I think United are mostly lacking in, and signing Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid isn’t the answer as much as I rate the England full-back.
All you need to do is look at previous Premier League winners — Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Leicester — to see a key ingredient that this current United side lacks.
These champions were mostly defined by whoever plays as the deep-lying midfielder, but the Red Devils have gone years ignoring the importance of a modern midfield general. If only we could rewind and clone Nemanja Matic from 4-5 years ago.
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Last season a lot fans complained about the “McFred” double pivot, but that became a frequent selection choice for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer because the Norwegian simply couldn’t trust his defence. The back four needed extra protection.
However, with the addition of Raphael Varane, the manager has been tipped to adopt a 4-3-3 formation instead.
Fred and Scott McTominay are two valuable players but United need to start looking at an upgrade at No.6 to ensure they are ready to mount a serious title challenge.
An improved defence and a natural right-sided winger will see us improve significantly this season, and with Barcelona’s financial problems I’ve got my fingers crossed that United will make a cheeky offer from Frenkie De Jong.
The Dutchman would be perfect for United — sitting deep and getting the ball forward for our attacking players to flourish.
Other midfielders have been linked with moves to Old Trafford this summer, too.
Ruben Neves and Saul Niguez are popular shouts among fans, but I can’t help but question the figures being touted for West Ham’s Declan Rice (£80m according to The Sun)…
If you could sign a defensive midfielder this summer, who would you like it to be? Let us know in the comments section.
Manchester United board need to folk out the cash to get a defensive midfielder… Imagine the goal scored by Leeds United. The build up to the goal, Fred and mctominay were no where to be found… And the season is still long.. We need to address these last missing puzzle to be champion again. I beg of you man utd board pls do this for the fans, OGS…
I agree with you, manutd should go for a DM such as rice or de jong, someone who can sit with d defenders and provide long passes, someone who plays like our legend scholes will be siut this present team
I think Man United should go for Frankie De Jong .
they need kieran trippier
I think that with the improved defensive cover, we should stick with what we have. The intention should be to have the ball in the opposition’s half most of the time. I think that McTominay can grow into that position and he bleeds United. Fred/ Matic as cover
Saul Niguez, from Atletico Madrid, as close to Keane as possible and we have never replaced Roy, this player could do that.
Next season hopefully Haaland, oh and get rid of Pogba, he’s just taking us for a ride, he’s probably peaked already.
I think they should go to ndidi
Frenkie De Jong, would be a decent long term fit in the DM position, with his European experience, why not try a cheeky bid for him, or Neves, pay the money, get it done United..
Neves is perfect
Saul will be good or never
Wilfred ndidi is the answer to Manchester United struggle in midfield
Wilfred ndidi is the answer to Manchester United struggle in midfield go get him ole
Ndidi all the way
I think we should go for Ndidi, Yves Bissouma or Monaco defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchoumane
I think we badly need to sign a striker Martial has been extremely poor so fare this season and with Rashford out still , Greenwood still learning the learning and Cavani not getting any younger I think were still lacking the strength up front Rashford hardly set the word on fire when he did play last season . We also could do with a defensive midfield as it something we have struggled with