Is Idrissa Gueye the solution to Manchester United's midfield woes?

Idrissa Gueye (L)

With the January transfer window looming the rumour mill is hotting up, with one of the main focus of attentions being on Manchester United‘s midfield. Despite needing a serious overhaul over the summer, only Marouane Fellaini was brought in, with the Belgian failing to impress on his step up to the champions thus far. The latest name linked with a switch to Old Trafford is Idrissa Gueye, who has been a key component in Lille‘s successful bid to keep pace with the French moneybags duo of Paris Saint-Germain andMonaco.

The Senegalese midfielder has been in imperious form for second-placed Lille so far this campaign, laying on 16 chances for his team-mates. He has only failed to claim an assist due to the poor finishing of his colleagues that has seen them score just 18 times in 16 games.

Gueye has been just as guilty of poor finishing himself – managing to hit the target with just three of his eight shots – but his chance creation total is more than any of Manchester United’s current crop of midfielders can boast. Michael Carrick top scores for United with 12 chances (0 assists) and only the Englishman and Luis Naniare able to boast a better minutes per chances created than Gueye’s 84. Fellaini, for the record, has created just one chance this season for the Red Devils.

Gueye has been integral to the fact Lille have conceded just four times this campaign- a better record than any other team in Europe’s major leagues aside from Roma, with whom they tie – and would add some steel to a United midfield that has been accused of being a bit soft in the centre. United have conceded 17 goals this season, more than any of their title rivals.

Gueye has won a massive 46 tackles this season and with a success rate of 75% blows any United player out of the water.

Tom Cleverley is their top tackler with a relatively meagre 20 tackles completed. With Cleverley’s success rate a paltry 50%, no United player is in Gueye’s league on the tackling front.

Gueye has proved somewhat adept at keeping the ball as well, completing 18 take-ons with a success rate of an outstanding 90% (Antonio Valencia also has 18, but with a success rate of just 46%) and completing a huge 713 passes for Lille at an accuracy standing at 85%.

While some United players can boast a better accuracy Carrick’s 652 completed passes pales in significance, although fewer games played could easily be called into question in that regard.

It would seem Gueye could easily become a key cog in the United midfield, if David Moyes’ tries his hand with the Senegalese man, as he would add in areas at both ends of the pitch, given his eye for the key pass and his phenomenal success in duels with opponents.

With so many of their title rivals currently employing a midfield enforcer with great attacking prowess (Yaya Toure, Sandro, Ramires), maybe it’s time United got with the times and took a punt on Idrissa Gueye.