4 players who could solve Manchester United’s midfield conundrum

The question mark looming over Manchester United‘s midfield continues to persist and, despite an impressive showing from several players in last weekend’s win over Aston Villa, the deficiencies in this department are far from resolved.

Tom Cleverley stole the plaudits on Sunday as the Red Devils brought an end to a four-game winless streak. However his performance will not have been enough to convince supporters that this area of the squad is a problem of the past.

With the January transfer window on the horizon, fans of the Premier League will be looking to David Moyes to see how he deals with the current situation at Old Trafford. Many would expect him to delve into the transfer market for one or two quality players, but the Scot may have alternate ideas.

United have been linked with a number of talented players throughout their struggles in the opening phase of the season and it seems inconceivable that Moyes would refuse to approach any of these well-known figures in the winter window.

League position aside, United’s legacy alone allows the club to attract the best players from all four corners of the globe. Here is an analysis of four players the Red Devils have been linked with moves for in January.

Koke – Atletico Madrid

Koke is an outstanding talent and, if reports made by the Independent are to be believed, the Premier League champion’s supporters should be very, very excited.

The Atletico Madrid youth graduate has been a revelation this season, cementing his place as a key member of a side who easily won their Champions League group and are currently joint top of La Liga, while also featuring in all seven of Spain’s qualifying and friendly games since making his senior debut in August.

Dubbed the new Xavi, the Spaniard is believed to have a release clause in hiscontract worth around £16 million and, if this rumour is true, United would have the opportunity to complete the coup of the winter window.

Koke’s creative capacity it difficult to dispute and with Moyes currently searching for a player with this level of vision and playmaking ability, the youngster should be at the top of the Red Devil’s list of targets.

In 16 appearances this campaign he has made 34 key passes in total, assisting eight goals for Los Rojiblancos. He has also shown an acute eye for goal having found the back of the net on three occasions – a higher total than any of United’s current midfield options.

Koke just fits the bill as far as United are concerned. He is such a talented attacking midfielder and he ticks all the required boxes. At just 21-years-of-age he still has so much time to develop into an even greater player.

The Spaniard’s release fee seems more and more of a bargain after every game he plays and it will be a real disappointment if United decide against a move for him in January

Ander Herrera – Athletic Bilbao

Following an embarrassing attempt to secure his services in summer, the Guardianreports that David Moyes could be prepared to make a second approach for Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera, come the winter window.

The 24-year-old may now be available for less than his (£29.9m) minimum buyout clause, but a transfer worth anywhere near this price is likely to spark huge controversy.

Whilst he is obviously talented, the 24-year-old’s career would appear to have regressed rather alarmingly since all the drama of the summer faded and a deal for this much money would anger a number of the club’s fans.

Herrera has made 12 appearances playing a full 90 minutes on just three occasions this season and it seems he has become a backseat player in what has so far been a fantastic campaign for Athletic Bilbao.

Despite a lack of game time, we have still been able to witness the main aspect of his game – his creativity. This term he has fashioned 19 chances for the Basque outfit – the second highest total of any other player at the club.

When comparing this to his last campaign, he made 37 key passes in 29 appearances, so he is already well on track to surpassing his previous season’s record.

But it is the absence of assists provided by the Spaniard that is the main cause for concern, this visionary ability is the aspect United are currently lacking and although he creates plenty of opportunities these are not resulting in goals. But perhaps playing behind the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie this statistic would improve.

United should possibly consider Ander with January approaching fast, Moyes needs a player who is simply more experienced and in far better form.

Unless the club can negotiate a better deal with Bilbao, United should steer well clear, a transfer worth £29.9 million is a recipe for disaster.

Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund

Gundogan has not played for the majority of the season due to a back injury, but that has not deterred clubs from making him their prime target. The 23-year-old is wanted by Real Madrid and Barcelona as well as Manchester United, according to the Daily Mail.

The German is a complete midfield player – capable in both attack and defence – and he has become a well-polished diamond in the Dortmund midfield since Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at the club.

He was one of the central figures at Borussia Dortmund as they reached the final of the Champions League and he received copious amounts of praise for his performances in Die Borussen’s two semi-final games against Real Madrid

Whilst he has genuine attacking capabilities, Gundogan’s work-rate and passing are his key components – enabling him to control the midfield from deep. Last season he averaged an 87% pass rate accuracy and is very much in the Xavi and Andres Iniesta bracket in terms of not wasting possession.

Gundogan Average Duels Won 2012/13

Gundogan plays in a different style to the rest of the names considered in this article and his arrival at Old Trafford would also benefit the defensive aspect of United’s game play. Having completed 80% of his tackles last season, alongside 63 interceptions, the German clearly has a real knack for reading the game and breaking up opposition attacking moves.

David Moyes is lacking a midfield enforcer and Gundogan could fill the current void in this position, especially if reports suggesting a price tag of £25 million are true. Dortmund often struggle to keep hold of their star names and, with several clubs chasing his signature, the 23-year-old could be the next to depart.

Gundogan is a superb player and I’m confident he is exactly what Manchester United are missing. However, with Real Madrid and Barcelona also interested, Moyes could be set to miss out on yet another target.

Marco Reus – Borussia Dortmund

According to the Daily Mail, United’s hopes of signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus have been significantly boosted within the last few weeks.

The 24-year-old is known to harbour concerns about recent goings-on at the Westfalenstadion and is determined to ensure his career does not suffer as a consequence. Dortmund are currently languishing 12 points behind Bayern Munichand are closer to the bottom half of the table than the top.

Reus is considered one of the finest players in the Bundesliga and would be a brilliant addition to United but many see it as nothing more than fantasy that he could move to Old Trafford.

The German can play as a left winger or attacking midfielder and plays well off a lone striker such as Robert Lewandowski, or perhaps Robin Van Persie? He exploits his pace and flair to ease past opposition players down the flank, already this season he has successfully taken on an opponent 35 times registering a 53% success rate, he is then able to pick out a team-mate or often find the back of the net by himself – from the left side of midfield he has scored seven goals in 16 league appearances.

Moyes will be looking for creativity, if anything, in January and Reus’ playmaking ability will also have caught his eye. Having made 42 key passes, in total, he has assisted five of the team’s league goals. The German is a tricky customer and has proven that he can create and score chances at the highest level of club and international football.

He may well have his reservations about a move to United considering the club’s league position, however, his current situation in Germany is no better and he could thrive under the challenge of reinstating the Manchester club as a European force once again.

Borussia Dortmund have made it clear that he has a release clause in his contract in the region of £30 million. A summer move is more likely, but if Moyes wants him in January he should expect to spend big. However, it is fair to say, a Marco Reus move to Old Trafford would be money well spent.