5 midfielders who can replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United

#2 Mateo Kovačić (Real Madrid)

Unhappy about a lack of first-team minutes, Kovacic reportedly wants to leave Real Madrid.

Since his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu from Inter Milan, the Croatian has found playing time limited. The likes of Casemiro and Luka Modric are ahead of him in the pecking order at Real Madrid.

There is no doubt that he is a talented midfielder and only at the age of 23, he has all the ingredients of a world-class player in future - but one who crucially, needs to play regularly to continue progressing well. Whenever called upon by Zinedine Zidane, he has provided Madrid with good midfield cover in the absence of any first-team regulars.

Kovacic is a very versatile midfielder and capable of playing anywhere in the midfield. He is a brilliant passer of the ball and is also very comfortable playing deep.

His only real shortcoming is his lack of consistency at times, which is something that a disciplinarian manager like Jose can easily sort out with experience.

It is believed that he has told Real Madrid that he wants to move away next season and they should listen to offers for him, if that is the case then the Red Devils should waste no time in trying to acquire his services.