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#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.
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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.
