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Manchester United have a lot of quality in their ranks. In fact, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is spoilt for choice in attack. He has a plethora of extremely talented individuals to choose from and it is a problem that the Norwegian will not mind having.
Manchester United midfield is a cause for concern
However, the same cannot be said for Manchester United's midfield. At the highest level, midfield battles play a huge role in dictating the outcome of games. The Red Devils are lacking in the defensive midfield department.
Solskjaer prefers a double midfield pivot of Scott McTominay and Fred. While both players aren't without their merits and help lend solidity to the setup, their ball distribution skills are rather weak. The pair can often be erratic and this has cost Manchester United dearly in recent times.
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Nemanja Matic is another option but the Serbian's age is catching up with him and he just doesn't have the legs to keep up with the intensity of the Premier League anymore. Paul Pogba has proved time and again that he excels in a more attacking role with the freedom to roam. Discipline isn't his strongest suit.
As such, Manchester United desperately need to sign a defensive midfielder who can help steady things at the center of the park. Without further ado, let's take a look at five defensive midfielders Manchester United can look to sign.
#5 Joao Palhinha (Sporting Lisbon)
Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha fits the profile of the defensive midfielder that Manchester United are looking to sign to a T. The 26-year-old is an excellent ball-winner. He is effective at duels and made the most number of successful tackles (68) in the 2020-21 Primera Liga campaign.
Even better, Palhinha is a tall customer who excels at aerial duels. He won 72% of aerial duels in the 2020-21 season in the Primera Liga. Palhinha is also great at carrying the ball forward thanks to his pace and dribbling ability.
He has enough quality to even play as a lone defensive midfielder allowing Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes to start in more attacking roles in the same starting XI. The midfielder is currently tied to Sporting Lisbon until 2025 and won't come for cheap.
#4 Aurelien Tchouameni (AS Monaco)
AS Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has emerged as a potential transfer target for Manchester United in recent weeks. The 21-year-old has immense potential and it won't be long before he earns a move to one of the top European clubs.
At 21, Tchouameni already possesses a great understanding of the game. He is an intelligent footballer who is excellent at winning the ball back and carrying it forward with ease. The Frenchman is technically gifted and also packs explosive pace which makes him a nightmare to go up against in tight areas.
Despite being a great ball-carrier and decent distributor, it's Tchouameni's defensive attributes that make him stand out from the rest. In the past year, he has averaged a whopping 4.8 tackles, 2.22 interceptions and 2.55 aerial duels won per game.
He has proved that he can play in any position across midfield. The youngster has played in a double pivot and has also been the lone defensive midfielder in a midfield three. Tchouameni will undoubtedly be a great signing for Manchester United and will be one for the future as well.
#3 Franck Kessie (AC Milan)
AC Milan finished second in the 2020-21 Serie A season and that, in no short part, is thanks to their efficient midfield duo of Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer. While both midfielders could be potential targets for Manchester United, Solskjaer could be particularly motivated by Kessie's abilities.
The 24-year-old was AC Milan's second top goalscorer in the 2020-21 season with 14 goals in 50 appearances across all competitions last term. The Ivory Coast international shows a lot of bite in midfield and is a combative presence in the center of the park.
He is a good tackler with great strength and is a tenacious presence which helps him double up as a box-to-box midfielder. Kessie is also an excellent ball-carrier and completed a whopping 80% of his attempted dribbles in the 2020-21 season.
He is also good at passing the ball through the lines and averaged a pass completion rate of 84% in the attacking half in the 2020-21 season. Kessie's current contract with AC Milan is set to expire next summer and he will be available as a free-agent if he doesn't put pen to paper on a new deal.
#2 Declan Rice (West Ham United)
Declan Rice is one of the more obvious choices for Manchester United as they look to strengthen their midfield. Rice has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League and he is still only 22-years-old.
Rice is a destroyer and is excellent at breaking up play. A strong presence in the centre of the park, he can single-handedly sweep in front of the defence. This would allow his team to use more attack-minded midfielders in front of him.
The English international's passing has also improved greatly, and he has an incredible pass completion rate of 92% in the Premier League this term. Rice is a Premier League certified option for Manchester United. However, he is tied to West Ham until 2024 and the Hammers won't sell him for cheap.
Suffice to say, unless Manchester United are willing to spend close to £80 million, they should look elsewhere. But if they have the money, this should be a no-brainer.
#1 Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Manchester United already have two world-class Portuguese internationals in Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes. Ruben Neves will be a worthy addition to that group. The Wolves midfielder is one of the best in the business at orchestrating play from a deep-lying role in midfield.
Not only is Neves adept at winning the ball back and not allowing the opposition a moment's peace in the heart of midfield, but he is also an exceptional passer. The 24-year-old is excellent at tackles and at making interceptions and is a tactically intelligent player with great spatial awareness.
Neves will undoubtedly improve Manchester United's midfield. What they lack right now is a ball-playing holding midfielder who is also relentless and Neves could be just what the doctor ordered. He also scores some wonderful goals from range and would be a big improvement on Fred who is rather terrible at shooting.
His current contract expires in 2023 and Wolves ought to be open to selling him this summer. It is also time for Neves to make the step up and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
