Manchester United have been the most active team in the transfer market when it comes to signing star names. With the addition of Eric Bailly, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Red Devils look like genuine title contenders under Jose Mourinho.
However, despite signing so many players to complement the high quality that they already possess, there is still a small crack—and it lies in midfield.
They might have a plethora of midfielders, but it seems like Mourinho isn’t content as Schweinsteiger is on the decline, Fellaini was never up to the mark and Juan Mata is… well, let’s just say that Mourinho doesn’t prefer a player of his skillset.
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Keeping all this in mind, here are 5 players United could sign to plug the gap in midfield.
#1 Paul Pogba
The first name is the obvious one of Paul Pogba. The prodigal son of the Red Devils left the club on a free transfer to Juventus. However, it wasn’t before some real damage was done to their relationship as, according to Pogba’s mother, Sir Alex Ferguson made him cry.
With Mourinho taking over the reins at the Old Trafford, the demand for Pogba has risen to the pinnacle. They have a very strong squad with the additions of Eric Bailly, Henrik Mkhitaryan, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but still lack an all-action midfielder to complete the system.
A Bastian Schweinsteiger at his peak could have done the job, but he is going through somewhat of a declination phase, making it necessary for United to sign a midfielder like Pogba.
#2 Radja Naingollan
Paul Pogba would cost Man United more than a fortune. With a price tag of £120 million, and Juventus’ blatant reluctance to sell him, it becomes quite difficult for the club to sign him. Hence, looking for a more viable option could be the best way out.
Enter Radja Naingollan.
The Belgian has been a mainstay in the Serie A for a better part of the decade now and is one of its most consistent exponents. He might be a little volatile and reckless on the pitch, but he makes up for those lacking with his fine abilities as a box-to-box midfielder who covers every blade of the grass on the pitch.
#3 Blaise Matuidi
He might not be the level of Paul Pogba, but he is no muck either. The Frenchman is one of the most explosive midfielders in the game today who can disrupt the attack and the defense of any team on his day.
Matuidi is an excellent dribbler and has an uplifting presence in front of the defense. There are times when he doesn’t appear to the eyes of the viewer, but then he makes a sudden run to the opponent’s box with the ball at his feet—destroying all the players that fall in his path.
However, his consistency is an issue, but under the guidance of Mourinho, he could become an even better player and shake the Premier League with his talents.
#4 Nemanja Matic
It is a known fact that Jose Mourinho is a big fan of the Serbian. It was the Portuguese manager who brought him to Chelsea and it could be the same man who brings him to Manchester United.
Although the rumours have died down, Matic was being linked with the Red Devils before the transfer window opened and one could understand why. Manchester United don’t have a player like him. To be fair, however, Matic is a rare breed.
He is that holding midfielder who provides excellent cover for the backline while also possessing an array of passing skills up his sleeves. He is, however, not a conventional box-to-box since he prefers staying deep and dictating the game from there.
#5 Andre Gomes
And we will conclude this slide with the player most linked, after Pogba, to the club. Andre Gomes is the talk of the summer. After a positive season with Valencia, where he showed the world just how good he is an attacking box-to-box, there are a number of clubs circling around him like vultures hover around their prey.
Jose Mourinho might have been out of football before he joined United, but the football was never out of him. It seems that he kept a close eye on his compatriot and is eager to train him at the Old Trafford.
Of all the players listed here, Andre Gomes is the most creative and has a more attacking mindset than the rest. The fact that United have players like Carrick and Schweinsteiger makes it understandable to sign someone in the Portugal international’s mould.
However, whether Mourinho could actually acquire him is another issue.
