The development of Paul Pogba at Manchester United is an issue of interest for the rest of the football fraternity. After all, he is the most expensive signing of all time and his future will determine whether the money paid for him was justified or not.
If he fails, he shall become a point of ridicule for the others. So in order for that to not happen, United are trying their level best to give the Frenchman the support that he needs in order to reach his peak.
Pogba works at his best when placed alongside a midfielder who does most of the dirty work, allowing Pogba to move around more freely and stamp his authority on the game. Since the Red Devils don’t have a player who could do that with consistency, we almost often see Pogba in a restrained role than his preferred all-action box-to-box entity.
That’s why United are looking for a midfielder who could take up the mantle of covering for Pogba and have targeted Tottenham midfielder, Eric Dier, for the job. However, with Tottenham not budging, even after a reported £50 million bid, Mourinho wants to push even further (stop smiling, perverts) by making a £60 million offer.
For that much money, United are sure to better midfielders – and here are five of them.
#5 Fabinho
The former Real Madrid Castilla player is one of those footballers who has been constantly linked with the Old Trafford outfit. On the outset, he looks like the best alternative to Eric Dier. Fabinho can play in a number of positions – just like the Tottenham man – and actually started his footballing career in Europe as a right-back.
However, Leonardo Jardim saw the attacking potential of the man and shifted him to the centre. The result? 10 goals and four assists in 47 Champions League and French Ligue appearances last season. His runs from the midfield cause a lot of trouble for the opponents in France and he could do the same in England as well.
His natural schooling as a defender has made his defensive attributes stronger. As a result, he will be a better partner to Paul Pogba than Ander Herrera or Marouane Fellaini. The former Juventus player some of his best football alongside Arturo Vidal – another dynamic box-to-box – and Fabinho can be that man for him at the Theatre of Dreams.
#4 Radja Nainggolan
A powerful, robust and tattooed-up box-to-box midfielder who can dismantle opposition defences with his attacking runs while also guard his own with his tireless tenacity. For far too long has Radja Nainggolan been in the obscurity of being underrated.
And a move to United might change all that.
This is a guy who has been storming the Serie A for the better part of the decade and it looks like the only that could stop it is if he transfers to England. Last season, the Belgian played a lot of games in attacking midfield and it completely unleashed his attacking prowess while also becoming a defensive force higher up the pitch.
At the Old Trafford, with Pogba alongside him, he wouldn’t have to burden himself much with attacking duties as his job will be to sit back and take turns with Pogba to go forward and cause chaos in the opposition’s box.
Like Dier, Nainggolan is a very strong man and can hold his own in the physicality of the Premier League. However, the one thing that goes against him is his age. The former Cagliari man is already 29 years-old and may not have many years in the top-flight.
Regardless of that, however, he would still represent a good signing for Jose Mourinho – in the short term at least.
#3 Nemanja Matic
Jose Mourinho’s trusted ally, Nemanja Matic is the type of player that the Portuguese manager loves. He is hardworking, diligent and, most importantly, gives his 100% on the pitch while carrying out the task assigned to him by the manager.
At Chelsea, alongside N’Golo Kante, he formed devastating central midfield pairing that helped Chelsea win the Premiership. However, with the signature of Bakayoko, there is a feeling that the Serbian might just be let go by Chelsea for the right price.
And this is where the former Real Madrid manager could cash in. Unlike the other players on this list, Matic is not someone who makes forward runs. Instead, likes to sit back and dictate the tempo of the game from deep – someone in the Xabi Alonso mould.
With a player like him – a defensive playmaker, if you could put a term on it – who likes to sit back, Pogba would be allowed to move forward much more freely, unlocking his attacking potential to the fullest.
#2 Sami Khedira
If you are someone who watched Sami Khedira play at Real Madrid, you would think that he is a full-fledged holding midfielder in the Claude Makelele mould. However, if you had followed him during his time at Stuttgart, or even his Germany performance, or his post-Blancos career with Juventus, you would know that the German’s natural role is that of an all-action box-to-box midfielder.
He is another one of Jose Mourinho’s companions. Indeed it was the self-proclaimed Special One that brought him to Madrid and converted him into a boring-but-disciplined midfielder. And he could do that once more at Manchester United.
Among all the options here, Khedira is going to cost the least and will be willing to sacrifice the most in order to bring the best out of Paul Pogba. He is arguably the most defensively disciplined player on this list and could be the stronghold of United’s midfield.
However, Khedira is 30 years old, so he won’t really be the long-term signing that the Red Devils’ fans are hoping for.
#1 Naby Keita
Naby Keita’s name has only just been linked to Manchester United as he still remains a firm target for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Signing him would be understandable on so many levels for the Old Trafford outfit.
For starters, he is the most complete midfielder in the world. He can pass with astute clarity, can find his team-mate within a blink of the eye, can sense an attack even before it arises and has the industriousness to make tackles when necessary.
Added to all this, he can also dribble his way out of trouble. He is perhaps the most gifted player on this list and would help United in more ways than one. Along with Pogba, he could forge a devastating midfield duo that could simultaneously attack, defend and create.
Also, the fact that Liverpool want him will make his signing sweeter for the fans. If United are willing to spend £60 million for Eric Dier, why can’t they cough up £10 million more and sign one of Europe’s best midfielders?
