5 Midfielders that Manchester United should target this summer

If the situation at Manchester United continues for a while, they will have a major reshaping of their squad in the close season, especially the midfield. If you have no idea what the situation is - Paul Pogba is seemingly looking at moving to Real Madrid and Ander Herrera contract situation looks far from being sorted out.

If those situations drag on for much longer, United will start the beginning of next season without their two best central midfielders. That will leave a huge vacuum that will need to be addressed as soon as possible.

With that in mind, the Manchester United board will have central midfielders on top of the summer recruitment strategy.

So, who are the most likely candidates that Manchester United should target to boost their midfield options? Even if Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera get their respective situations sorted out, the team still needs valuable options.

Here are some of the midfield options that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should look at in an effort to bring United back to their glory days.

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#5. Ruben Neves

Huddersfield Town v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Wolverhampton has no doubt been the surprise package of this season’s English Premier League. No team in the top six this season has had it easy when they’ve faced up against Nuno’s side. Even the ones that have managed to pick up wins have struggled to beat them.

At the centre of those great performances from Wolverhampton Wanderers has been the brilliance of Ruben Neves. The Portuguese midfielder has been one of the standout performers, not only for Wolves but also in the league at large.

His brilliance in breaking up opposition play and instigating moves for his team has got some of the big sides having a closer look at him. It has to be said that Nuno got him quite easy when he came to Wolves and hasn’t disappointed his manager.

United should definitely have a look at him to help them fill Herrera’s spot if he does eventually leave. Even if he doesn’t Neves can still provide cover for both Herrera and Matic.

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#4. Declan Rice

Declan Rice vs Everton

Declan Rice is one name that has been on the Manchester United transfer rumours for quite some time now. The young West Ham midfielder is one of the best defensive midfield prospects that there is in the Premier League.

Manchester United has lacked a genuine holding midfielder since the retirement of Michael Carrick. Someone who genuinely enjoys sitting back, break opposition’s play, is creative and starts attacks for his team.

That’s exactly what Declan Rice will give Manchester United if they were to get him. Declan Rice is also still very young and will give them value for money since he’ll give them at least 10 years of service.

He also won’t need adjusting time as he’s already used to the Premier League’s demands and may just settle in quickly.

He won’t come cheap though, no English player does, but Manchester United has the financial muscle to pull off a transfer for this highly talented Englishman.

#3. Dele Ali

Montenegro v England - UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier

Another Englishman on this list is none other than Dele Ali. This transfer will seem only probably if Paul Pogba does leave for Real Madrid. If that happens, then there is no other player that can better fill the Frenchman’s boots than Dele Ali.

The Englishman is one of the most coveted players in the world today and Manchester United would be glad to have him in their ranks. He’s creative, has bags of energy and can score goals as well. He’ll certainly provide United with that X factor that they need in their midfield.

Getting Ali from Tottenham, however, will be one of the toughest tasks that Ed Woodward may have to undertake as Tottenham are by no means pushovers. But if that move can materialize Manchester United will have a player that can fully fill Pogba’s shoes and even do more than what Pogba may have done.

#2. Marco Verratti

Italy Training Session And Press Conference

Without a doubt, the most prestigious player on this list by a mile is none other than Marco Verratti. The Italian is one of the best central midfielders in the world today and every top team would like to have him in their ranks.

He’s creative, passes the bass exceptionally, is positionally astute, breaks opposition’s play and sit backs to screen the back line. He’s exactly what this United team needs in terms of stability.

Still very young, Verratti will provide United with value for money paid and offer a great resale value. He’s also the player that may cost United the most were they to bring him to England. Of course, with PSG having their eyes on Herrera, United can sweeten the deal with sending Herrera the other way with a huge transfer fee as well.

If not, they will have to fork out upwards of 100 million to get the Italian to Old Trafford.

#1. Abdoulaye Doucoure

Doucoure wheels away after scoring recently against Manchester United

The final player on the list is Watford’s midfield general Doucoure. He’s Watford’s player of the season and as things are, he looks he’ll keep the title again this season.

He’s energetic, strong on the tackle, gets up and down the field quite easily and top it up he has goals in him. The Frenchman can surely be a perfect fit to replace Ander Herrera if he does leave the club.

He’ll offer passion and no-nonsense style of play in that midfield while also keeping things ticking just what Herrera has been doing. Of course, Watford will demand a huge fee for him, but of all players on this list, he’s probably the one that may come cheap for United.

Even if none of the midfielders does leave United, Doucoure will provide great cover for the team and may well even end up challenging for a starting position in the long run.