Which Defensive Midfielder Should Manchester United Be Looking At?

Manchester United might have solved one area that needed desperate construction by bringing Jadon Sancho in last summer, but their reluctance to sign an out-and-out defensive midfielder has come at a costly price this season. 

It was evident for all to see that the Red Devils’ shortcomings this season were going to be in the middle of the park. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s overreliance on Scott McTominay and Fred in a midfield two eventually cost the Norwegian his job, given the frequency of teams flooding the centre of the park and winning the battle.

While Fred and McTominay still start together under Rangnick, the German coach has had Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic’s returns to the side to help matters. Unfortunately for the team, the Serbian international struggles to play twice a week and put together a run of games.

Aside from Matic, Manchester United – beyond belief – do not have a class operator at the number six position. They have young players coming through, such as the on-loan James Garner at Nottingham Forest, but none ready as of yet to make their stamp on this team and provide a secure platform.

Declan Rice is the obvious answer to Manchester United’s midfield woes. The England international had an inspiring European Championship last summer with the Three Lions and has carried that form straight into the Premier
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League with West Ham United.

The Hammers have clearly stated that he will not be sold for less than £100 million, which puts some price tag on Rice’s shoulders, but given his performances and reliability this season, it will be unlikely if one of the bigger clubs in England do not try to prize him away pre-World Cup.

Rangnick might not be the manager come next season, but the German will have an almighty say in Manchester United’s recruitment plans moving forward during his consultancy period. He has made no intentions to hide his admiration for RB Leipzig’s Amadou Haidara, given he was the man to bring him into Europe. 

There are question marks over whether Haidara is a true defensive midfielder, as he finds himself in advanced positions or even on the right-hand side. His versatility can be a useful asset to any team as well as being half the price of what Rice would cost.

The other player that will be of significant interest is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves, who, like Rice, has had a stellar campaign in the Premier League. Manchester United’s scouts and management staff would have seen first-hand his brilliance when he played them off the park at Old Trafford earlier this season.

Neves is likely to be in between a £40 million Haidara and £100 million Rice, but it is easy to forget that the Portugal international is only 24 given how much he has achieved in his career to date. 

Manchester United need to make the right decision about who they decide to bring in – especially given the new manager will want a say – but the most important aspect of this is that they do indeed fill the blackhole they currently have in midfield.