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Want-away Manchester United star Paul Pogba has been constantly making headlines despite featuring only seven times for the Premier League heavyweights this season. The 26-year-old has been on the receiving end of multiple ankle injuries which have sidelined him for the majority of the campaign. Pogba made a return in December with two substitute appearances against Newcastle United and Watford but has since then been absent for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
The Norwegian manager recently went public with his scathing comments on Pogba’s super-agent Mino Raiola, who has been vocal about the 2018 World Cup winner’s potential moves away from Old Trafford. With rumours linking him back to Juventus rife and speculation ever-increasing, it seems highly likely that Paul Pogba would not be a Manchester United player come next season. Therefore, in this section, we will take a look at five midfielders who could be perfect replacements for the Frenchman.
5. Jude Bellingham
16-year-old midfield sensation Jude Bellingham has turned heads across England after his brilliant showings for Championship outfit Birmingham City this season. The teenager, who made his senior debut in August, is already a £50m-rated player, such is his ability and potential.
Bellingham is a box-to-box midfielder with a natural attacking instinct. Despite his young age, the English wonderkid is a huge presence in midfield because of his height, physicality and strength. He can easily pick a pass, glide with the ball and also possesses a knack for goals. His comfortability on the ball, calm-headedness, technical prowess and footballing intelligence has proved to many that he indeed has a bright future ahead of him.
Manchester United are one of many clubs looking to acquire Bellingham’s services this summer but his massive price-tag could prove to be a gamble. However, the Premier League giants are reportedly monitoring his progress at St. Andrew’s with assistant manager Mike Phelan personally scouting him.
Jude Bellingham obviously has a lot to learn and experience in order to make it to the very top, but given that he has already shown his talents in England’s second-tier, who is to say that he cannot crack it in the Premier League.
4. Donny van de Beek
Ajax’s superstars of last season are leaving the Johan Cruyff Arena for big-money moves to some of Europe’s biggest clubs. The likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt and most recently Hakim Ziyech have all been bought by Barcelona, Juventus and Chelsea respectively, with reports suggesting that many more will follow suit.
One such player is midfielder Donny van de Beek, who has been a stand-out performer for Erik ten Hag’s side in recent seasons. Last season, the 22-year-old scored 17 goals and provided another 13 assists in all competitions. He has continued his form into the current campaign with 10 goals and 10 assists already. Ajax fans will not forget his match-winning goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League semi-final first-leg last season.
The Dutchman is a like-for-like Pogba replacement because of his dynamism, smooth build-up play, creativity, as well as defensive covering. He can play any role in a midfield three but his remarkable vision and technique allows him to play a more advanced role. He is often found operating in pockets behind the attackers, constantly searching for through balls. He also has the ability to draw defenders, bomb forward and score vital goals.
There’s no arguing that Donny van de Beek has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the game and a move to Manchester United could put him on the footballing map.
3. Saul Niguez
Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez has the capability of becoming one of the best midfielders in the world because of his incredible tactical awareness, passing range and work ethic. Diego Simeone’s side are one of the few European elite clubs which have a primarily defensive philosophy. The Argentine manager demands his players to be extremely hard-working, rugged and tenacious, often relying on his defensive staunchness to win games.
In such a team which believes in a counter-attacking style, it is almost impossible to play “pretty” football. However, Saul Niguez has still managed to be extremely pleasing on the eye whenever he is on the pitch. The Spaniard is a pass maestro, a fundamental ball-winner and one of Atletico’s most potent attacking outlets from midfield. He is excellent in transition, reliable on-the-ball and rarely out-of-position, with some even labelling him as a “complete” midfielder.
Saul can also be extremely versatile in his approach, playing the role of an energetic presser in Simeone’s side and a ball-playing orchestrator in the Spanish national team. This adaptability and awareness can make him an effective player at any top European club.
The 25-year-old, therefore, could be a clever addition to the Manchester United midfield which still consists of some talented yet inexperienced players. Saul will bring another dimension going forward and could also form an excellent partnership with new-boy Bruno Fernandes but it will take a hefty price for United to lure him out of the Wanda Metropolitano.
2. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Lazio’s rise in the Serie A this season has been accredited to their red-hot goalscorer Ciro Immobile, who currently leads the race for the prestigious European Golden Shoe award above the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the Italian club’s impressive Serie A run has much to do with their industrious presence in midfield: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Serbian midfielder has previously attracted significant interest from Manchester United and it would not be a surprise if the Premier League giants swoop in for him again this summer.
The 24-year-old is already an established player in the Italian first division and in the Serbian national team, playing a key role for club and country. His recent winner against league rivals Inter Milan was another portrayal of his immense talent and ability as he steered Lazio above Antonio Conte’s side and within one point of reigning champions and current leaders Juventus.
The midfielder’s momentous match-winner ups his goal-contribution tally to 12 for the season in all competitions which is an impressive return for a central-midfielder. Apart from his obvious attacking intent, Milnkovic-Savic’s other attributes include robustness, tirelessness and an excellent command of the game. Manchester United’s midfielders have often been criticised for their submissive and unassertive nature, however, in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, they will not only have a strong and athletic number eight on their hands but also someone capable of turning matches on their heads.
1. Youri Tielemans
Manchester United have been consistently linked with a move for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison after the 23-year-old’s impressive performances this season. However, with Bruno Fernandes’ acquisition in January, going for another heavily-priced attacking midfielder would be a spur-of-the-moment decision. The United hierarchy should instead be looking at his Foxes counterpart Youri Tielemans as the ideal replacement for Paul Pogba.
The Belgian midfielder has gone under-the-radar this season because of Jamie Vardy and Maddison's attacking exploits, but he has been an equally-influential player for Brendan Rodgers. Tielemans is just 22 and already has an incredible resume with successful stints at Anderlecht, Monaco and now Leicester City. He is also a regular name in Roberto Martinez’s Belgian national team squad since his eye-catching displays in the Belgian Pro League. He was named the Belgian top-flight’s Young Player of the Year twice and the Footballer of the Year once in just four senior seasons.
Tielemans is a rare talent: he can slot in at any midfield role, be it defensive, box-to-box or a number ten role behind the attackers. His vision is unparalleled, passing unique and ball-carrying ability almost unstoppable. In Brendan Rodgers’ set-up, Tielemans acts as the bridge between Wilfred Ndidi and Maddison, floats in midfield, presses, makes defence-splitting passes and also darts inside-the-box to score. At United, he could play a similar role alongside Scott McTominay or Fred and Bruno Fernandes, representing a defensive presence as well as an attacking outlet.
