'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
On paper, Manchester United currently have a squad capable of challenging for trophies on all fronts. The wealth of options at Old Trafford runs so deep that Jadon Sancho and Edinson Cavani, with 33 goals and 26 assists between them in 2020-21, find themselves marooned on the bench more often than not.
The forward line is not the only area where Manchester United boast incredible depth. Dean Henderson, Alex Telles, and the increasingly forlorn Donny van de Beek are all top-notch professionals who find playing time hard to come by at the Theatre of Dreams at the moment.
With proven international players backing up every position, one would be forgiven for assuming there are no weaknesses in this Manchester United squad. Well, not quite.
Is a defensive midfielder the last piece of the puzzle for Manchester United?
Despite Manchester United's exciting business in the summer, there remains one glaring area of concern and it is not a recent one. The Stretford End has echoed with fans demanding a genuine defensive midfielder since the last days of Jose Mourinho's reign at the club.
If the hierarchy at Manchester United needs proof that the current defense requires a shield in front of it, a quick look at the clean sheet record will provide all the necessary evidence. Two clean sheets in the last 23 games is a woeful statistic for a team that expects to be challenging for domestic and continental glory.
The Red Devils' central midfield options currently include the much-maligned Fred, the industrious but limited Scott McTominay, an aging Nemanja Matic, wantaway star Paul Pogba, and Donny van de Beek, who could follow the Frenchman on his way out. The writing is on the wall. Manchester United desperately need reinforcements in midfield.
With the January transfer window fast approaching, here are five midfielders Manchester United could target this winter.
#5 Declan Rice (West Ham United)
The England and West Ham United star would be every Manchester United fan's dream signing and it is easy to see why. Declan Rice's powerful frame, tough tackling and ability to carry the ball forward from deep are enhanced by his clever reading of the game and composure in possession. To top it off, at 22, the midfielder has his best years ahead of him.
While there is no doubt Rice would be the right signing, he is almost impossible to land. West Ham United wanted £80million for their club captain in the summer, and reports suggest their valuation has now increased to £100million. Manchester United must ideally look to get rid of the deadwood - Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial, for instance - before splurging an extravagant sum.
More importantly, the Hammers are flying right now and have no reason to sell arguably their most valuable player. David Moyes' men are unbeaten in the Europa League and sit third in the Premier League table. West Ham have already knocked both Manchester giants out of the Carabao Cup before ending Liverpool's 25-game unbeaten run in the league.
#4 Aurelien Tchouameni (Monaco)
The youngest player on our list, 21-year-old Tchouameni's rise has been rapid. Monaco signed the French holding midfielder for £14 million from Bordeaux in January 2020. A full season and 36 league appearances later, the youngster had made the second-most successful tackles (127) in the 2020-21 campaign Ligue 1.
Monaco had the fourth-best defensive record in France in 2020-21 and Tchouameni was a big reason behind it. Tackling aside, his interceptions and pressing numbers are excellent, and his neat forward passing through the lines belies his relative inexperience.
Reportedly valued at £40 million, Tchouameni isn't cheap but there is no shortage of suitors. Chelsea, Juventus, Arsenal and Liverpool are said to be among the clubs interested.
Cristiano Ronaldo's presence at Old Trafford means Manchester United do not have time on their side, though. With just over one and a half full seasons as a starter at club level and six appearances for France, Tchouameni is a project in progress. The Red Devils may opt to pursue a more experienced player who can contribute immediately.
#3 Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Manchester United are well-acquainted with Ruben Neves. Back in 2019, he scored a sensational 30-yard volley to help Wolverhampton Wanderers snatch a draw against Solskjaer's men. Wolves' Portuguese engine has been around for so long, it's easy to forget that Ruben Neves is still only 24-years-old.
With over 180 appearances for the club, Neves has proven himself in England and is the most accomplished long-ball specialist among our listed players. Rumors suggest the Red Devils were close to signing Neves earlier this summer, but balked at Wolves' £40 million price tag.
Renowned for his aerial passing and long-range shooting, Neves would be a natural fit in Manchester United's attacking system. The Red Devils love to break quickly and hit teams on the counter. Neves' long balls would complement Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford's willing runs from wide, in behind defenses.
Neves' ability on the ball tends to gloss over his excellent defensive quality. The 2020-21 league season saw him record the third-most interceptions (65) and place sixth in successful tackles (86). It would not be a surprise to see Manchester United return for the Portuguese midfielder in the near future.
#2 Franck Kessie (AC Milan)
Our reasoning for placing the 24-year-old Ivorian second on this list is simple - he is comfortably the most affordable option available. Franck Kessie is out of contract at the end of the ongoing season and recent reports suggest AC Milan's attempts to negotiate a renewal have not been successful.
Surprisingly, the Rossoneri have not given any indication they are looking to sell Kessie on a cut-price deal in January to minimize their losses. Manchester United could tempt AC Milan with a reasonably low offer in the winter or even sign Kessie for free next summer.
It is not all about money, though. Franck Kessie is a terrific player in his own right. With an 80% dribble success rate in the 2020-21 Serie A season, he is accomplished at driving forward with the ball. Kessie was remarkably productive from a deep role in the previous Serie A campaign, grabbing 13 goals and providing six assists, although most of his strikes were penalties.
Despite his tendency to pop up in the final third, Kessie is solid defensively. His work rate and pressing off the ball are excellent and he finished in the top 10 for ball recoveries in the previous Serie A season. On the flip side, Manchester United fans will have genuine concerns about Kessie's ability to adapt to the Premier League's pace and physicality.
English football's breakneck speed may very well limit Kessie's dribbling and ability to consistently get into advanced positions. Nonetheless, while not the most glamorous, Franck Kessie is the most realistic midfield target for Manchester United in January.
#1 Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City)
Wilfred Ndidi's upbringing was a story of determination and overcoming hardships. From selling fruit to training in military zones, the Nigerian has come a long way and his perseverance is reflected in his all-action approach to the game.
One could argue that Ndidi is more suited to Manchester United's requirements than any other player on this list. With the luxury of attacking options in the squad, the Red Devils urgently need defensive toughness. Since signing for Leicester City from Genk in a £17 million transfer, the 24-year-old has been the best tackler in the Premier League by some distance.
In the four full seasons since his arrival in England, the long and lanky Ndidi has finished in the top 5 for successful tackles in every campaign. In fact, he was first on the list in two successive seasons, with 138 in 2017-18 and 143 in 2018-19. The Nigerian also finished second and third for most interceptions in the league in 2018-19 and 2019-20 respectively.
Leicester are off to an underwhelming start to the new campaign and Manchester United might find the defending FA Cup winners easier to negotiate with. The Foxes are currently 12th in the Premier League and are at risk of being knocked out of the Europa League by second-placed Legia Warsaw in Group C.
Although the club has not officially put a price tag on Wilfred Ndidi as yet, past reports suggest the Foxes value him at £50 million. Manchester United have been linked with Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers in recent weeks. Perhaps they would be better off targeting the Foxes' midfield destroyer instead.
Poll : Who would be a better signing for Manchester United?
Declan Rice
Wilfred Ndidi
68 votes
