Top Five: Manchester United central midfield transfer targets

The spot in central midfield next to Michael Carrick is the one glaring weakness in an otherwise excellent Manchester United team. It’s a spot that hasn’t really had a firm occupant since the heyday of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane. The likes of Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves showed great promise before being floored by illness and injury respectively. They tried the big money world class player route with Juan Sebastian Veron, but his relative failure, more of which is explained here, shouldn’t put them off going down the same route.

Carrick offers reliability both in terms of passing and defensive work but United need someone with a more penetrating passing range, who can get goals and who can add energy and drive. Sir Alex Ferguson tried Cleverley and Anderson in that role with limited success. So, who are they being linked with, and who should they sign?

Cesc Fabregas – Barcelona

Scout Report: Fabregas showed at Arsenal that he is a complete midfielder, ideally suited to the English game. At United, he would play in the exact same role as he did at Arsenal, so it doesn’t take much imagination to see where he fits in. Fabregas is a wonderfully imaginative passer of the ball, his particular specialty is precise passing into the penalty box in tight spaces. He has already played with Robin van Persie and could provide the kind of passing to his runs that Ferguson wanted last season. At Barcelona, he has upped his goalscoring tally, which United desperately need. Last season, they got almost no significant goalscoring contribution from the centre of midfield.

How much? Barcelona paid £35m for him and have said they don’t want to sell, so it will be at least that. However, he’s only 26 and fixes the United midfield at a stroke.

Marouane Fellaini – Everton

Scout Report: Fellani is a man that David Moyes knows very well and at United, he could play him in the position he has always wanted to, as a roving central midfielder. United makes by far the most sense for Fellaini, as he will be allowed to play as a rampaging one-man wrecking crew with the full knowledge that Michael Carrick is holding behind him. He is big, physical and long striding. He is aerially dominant and would offer United a different distribution option. The real concern with how Fellaini suits United rather than vice versa is that his passing ability is decent but not expansive. He’s not a better passer than Carrick, which is really what United need. But if they want to try a three man midfield, he would be perfect.

How much? He has a release clause of £24m. It’s a lot, but if Moyes has a plan for how to use him, it could make sense.

Kevin Strootman – PSV

Scout Report: Strootman is a near enough ideal box to box midfielder. He’s a very Premier League type player, reminiscent of Vieira, Keane or Gerrard. He can tackle, intercept, pass, run and score goals. He is a leader, and an authority figure. He grabbed his PSV side and dragged them forward, and looks like doing the same for the national team at the World Cup. He would be an excellent option next to Carrick, as he compliments him nicely. If Carrick wanted to glide forward, Strootman has the discipline to position himself defensively. He’s a ferocious presence, definitely a United type player.

How much? PSV could well hold out for £15m+, but he’s absolutely worth it.

Thiago Alcantara – Barcelona

Scout Report: For me, Alcantara should be at the top of the United list. He is everything they need. He can dribble, has an amazing range of passing, sublime technique, excellent vision and awareness, and is also a rugged and enthusiastic defensive presence. If United want to win the Champions League again, they need a player who can dominate possession and Thiago is that man. Not only is he good in possession himself, but he makes it easy for others to play a passing game too, by gliding around in a constant pocket of space.

How much? Barcelona have somehow allowed his escape clause of £15m to become active. That is an absolute bargain. He could be worth twice that in two years.

Asier Illarramendi – Real Sociedad

Scout Report: Illarramendi is a bit of a dark horse but has the potential to be the best passing midfielder in the world. If he had a number 14 on his back, and a beard, you would think you were watching Xabi Alonso. The similarities are uncanny. His passing range over short, intermediate and long range is exemplary, and in the true Spanish tradition, has excellent positioning and knowledge of the passing game. He moves the ball well and makes himself available to receive the ball. United need someone who can see and find the clever runs of Robin van Persie, and possibly even Robert Lewandowski, and Illarramendi can do that. He makes the game look absurdly easy and could be the fulcrum of an excellent United side.

How much? Sociedad aren’t the wealthiest, but they will fight to keep their young star. However, if offered £15-18m, they could accept.