The recent draws over Sheffield United and Aston Villa will have provided Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plenty to ponder heading into the festive period. It is evidently clear that United need major work in their midfield. With the absences of Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay, Solskjaer was left to rely on Fred and Andreas Pereira to firm up the middle, a partnership which has failed miserably.
United have often lacked invention, creativity and the maturity needed to pose as a threat this season and it is evidently clear that Ole requires quality midfield reinforcements in the winter transfer window.
With January fast approaching, Ole will be hoping to firm up his list of targets but who could those targets be and what could they bring to Manchester United?
Ivan Rakitic
Ivan Rakitic has somewhat become a ghost figure at Nou Camp, ushered into the shadows by Ernesto Valverde. However, there is no doubting about the professionalism and quality of the Croatian and one which could be incredibly useful to his next club, if he does leave the La Liga champions.
United have shifted away from the short-term signings as of late, but will not be a crime for Ole to divert from that philosophy and go for Rakitic in the January transfer window. Signing the Barca man will make perfect sense, especially when United are in desperate need of a dynamic midfielder. During United’s enthralling draw with Sheffield, Gary Neville on Sky Sports commentary rightly pointed out the lack of leadership and maturity in the middle, and repeatedly claimed that United’s midfield setup ‘was not a midfield’ with neither Fred nor Pereira taking the onus upon themselves to impress in the absence of Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba. It was a similar case against Aston Villa as United once again to exert their control especially in front of their own fans.
Not only would Rakitic provide an extra option in the middle, but the experience and leadership of a player with such a decorated CV would certainly aid United’s lack of maturity in the middle. His trophy cabinet boosts of 4 La Liga trophies, 4 Copa Del Rey’s, a Champions League and a Europa League honour.
With Manchester United’s route to Champions League qualification looking bleaker by the week, a strong push for Europa League maybe on the cards and harbouring a player of Rakitic’s experience and quality could provide the Norwegian with just ingredients he needs, even if it is short-term.
Ivan Rakitic is a player of international class. United are evidently starved of such.
Sandro Tonali
From a short-term option back to a quality long-term one.
Brescia’s Italian midfield maestro Sandro Tonali is a player earmarked for greatness, and is reportedly on the radar of many top clubs around Europe, including Manchester United.
Self-labelled as a blend between Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso, Tonali possesses the necessary qualities to become the best of his generation. The 19-year-old has received much high praise despite playing for a club currently bottom in Serie A. The Italian international – who helped Brescia to the Serie B title last season – has already been linked with the likes of Inter Milan, Napoli, Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester City over the past six months.
Tonali has featured three times for his country, most recently completing 90 minutes as they secured qualification to next years European Championships against Bosnia and in the 9-1 rout of Armenia this past month. Being a very efficient, energetic and technically gifted young player, he possesses excellent passing range, vision, and is blessed with an array of unique skill sets. Tonali is also a leader among men at the tender age of 19.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2F-Hr6t-2c
Manchester United are currently clueless in midfield and Ole requires a player who can spur the team on when the odds are stacked against them. Sandro Tonali, even in his teens, boasts those characteristics.
There is no doubting the idea that Tonali could successfully grace the Premier League. He could become the first among a whole host of young talents ready to grace the elite stages in world football. It’s only right Manchester United harnesses one of them.
Boubakary Soumaré
When was the last time Manchester United harboured a true ball-winner and box-to-box midfielder rolled into one?
Almost never. Lille’s Boubakary Soumaré is a player fitting that mould.
Tall, quick on his feet, and a powerful presence on the ball and in the tackle. Soumaré is a player deserving of a grander stage. If Solskjaer’s reported interest in the player is true, then the Theatre of Dreams could be the perfect platform for him to take his game to the next level.
A a midfield trio of Soumaré, Fred and Paul Pogba could be a devastating one. It has been widely reported that Solskjaer has scouted the player on several occasions this season, including Lille’s Champions League group match draw against Valencia in which Soumaré put in an outstanding performance, showcasing his unique and dominant abilities in the middle of the park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSHt6t4BN44&t=329s
United lack a midfield player, barring Paul Pogba when on song, who can grab games by the scruff of the neck with marauding runs from midfield and breaching defences within an instant. This is where Soumare enters the scene, possessing all those necessary traits. The French midfielder is freak of nature on the counter and effective when driving through opposition lines, not to mention his unbelievable passing expertise.
The Theatre of Dreams desperately needs its aura and excitement back. Soumaré could be that facilitator.
Sander Berge
Sander Berge is a player built for the big occasion, literally.
The Norwegian is a man mountain. 21 years of age, standing at 6 ft, 3 inches.
Well known in the gaming world of Football manager, the Genk midfielder is equally impressive in real life too and is said to be one of the brightest young midfield prospects in European football. Having stood out in the Champions League this season – including the two group fixtures against Liverpool – Berge is attracting a whole of interest from clubs around Europe with Jurgen Klopp also reportedly keeping an eye on his progress. It is believed that £40million-£50million will be enough for Genk to part with Berge. If so, United will need to get in on the act right away.
When it comes to abilities, Sander Berge has it all.
Efficient in the press. Fantastic when dribbling, powerful in the tackle and holds the relative experience and character needed to become an instant success in the Premier League. All at the age of just 21. It’s clear United lack a mighty presence in midfield, and with Nemanja Matic’s influence on the wane, Sander Berge may just be the ideal candidate to strengthen United’s engine room. What’s also good about Berge is his influence on those around him. When he plays, Genk are a much better and dominant force.
What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could do with a midfielder of the ilk of Sander Berge is an interesting question.
Nicolo Zaniolo
Yet another talent primed for much more.
Manchester United are reportedly willing to pay £52million for Roma’s attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo. For a player of his incredible young qualities, 50 odd million may be too small to secure his signature. Rated close to £70million, the 20-year-old playmaker’s current contract at Roma runs till 2024.
Primarily an attacking midfielder, Zaniolo also possesses the qualities and the nous to operate on the flanks or as a roaming playmaker within the setup of a 4-3-3. It is clear, Solskjaer’s options in the creative department just aren’t good enough. Lingard, Andreas Pereira and Juan Mata are decent squad players on paper, however, they do not hold the necessary qualities to lead United back amongst the best. If Solskjaer holds any ambitions to get United there, Nicolo Zaniolo is just the player needed to fit the bill.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRVqa2fC77U
The wonderkid recently netted a brace for Italy and already has 7 goals and 2 assists for club and country in 17 games. Manchester United aren’t the only ones interested in his services. Paris Saint-German and Tottenham are also reportedly keeping tabs on the Italian. An excellent player to watch and arguably the sole reason for Roma’s upturn in form in recent weeks. As well as possessing an eye for the pass, and an incredible understanding tactically, Zaniolo also holds a knack for the audacious. Whether its a piece of trickery or scoring a stunner, he is a player fully capable of getting fans off their seats.
Old Trafford needs that personality back, and Zaniolo seems the perfect fit. Zaniolo could be tough to secure in January because of his recent new contract, so any potential deal for his services may have to wait till the summer.
Solskjaer can ill-afford to wait that long. United’s failings in the middle need to be addressed as soon as.
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