Why Manchester United should sign Yohan Cabaye

Yohan Cabaye

Manchester United’s midfield was a problem under Sir Alex Ferguson and it’s now even more of an issue under David Moyes. After splurging £28 million on Marouane Fellaini, the problems still haven’t been solved and the Scot must look for reinforcements to bolster United’s crumbling midfield.

Michael Carrick is quite easily United’s best midfielder, and has been for some time. Fellaini is now his main partner but the Premier League champions are still missing an engine room type of player who can flip a game on its head with a strong run, shot or an incisive pass.

Moyes’ other options are Tom Cleverley, Anderson, Phil Jones and Ryan Giggs. Darren Fletcher has recently returned to training following a long absence but none of those players offer what the defending champions so desperately need.

Carrick is now injured for six weeks so Moyes will have to fill the gap with one of the above. Jones has deputised well this season when called into the middle but Cleverley or Giggs will probably get the nod over Anderson.

None of these players set the blood racing or the heart pumping so Moyes needs new energy in a tediously average midfield.

Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye was looking to leave the club in the summer but no move materialised. He’s likely to be available again in January or next summer but Moyes should swoop in quickly for the Frenchman.

Cabaye is Newcastle’s second most creative player with 13 (one assist). That is the same number of created chances that Fellaini, Cleverley and Anderson have put together. Carrick has played 12 key passes but without an assist.

Cabaye is a lot more creative than United’s midfield which should be enough of a reason for Moyes to bring the Frenchman to Manchester. His midfield is craving for a creative machine to pump the ball forwards with vigour as Fellaini, no matter how hard he tries, cannot do it.

Cabaye is not scared to shoot, either, and he has a much better shot than United’s midfielders. The Frenchman has taken 21 shots this season, 12 more than Fellaini, United’s most prolific shooter. He has a shot accuracy of 48%, too, compared to the tall Belgian’s 44%.

He hasn’t won as many duels as United’s midfield but that is not a huge aspect of his game. Cabaye drives forward and would be perfect if Moyes wants to introduce a quick transitioning style of play, from defence to attack.

Paris Saint-Germain were rumoured to be interested in Cabaye over the summer so his stock is definitely high. There are plenty of younger midfielders that Moyes could plump for but Newcastle’s midfield maestro won’t be too expensive, plus, he has proven Premier League quality.