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Very few players have commanded as much attention as Paul Pogba since he returned to Manchester United in 2016.
There is no doubting that Pogba is one of the world’s most talented midfielders. He has the ability to create chances from the centre of the park, and that is certainly something that United have lacked this season when the Frenchman has been out injured.
In fact, United have looked incredibly lightweight in the centre of the park when Pogba has been out injured. Scott McTominay has done alright in the midfield and Fred has gradually improved, but the likes of Andreas Pereira alongside him aren’t really the standard United would like in midfield, and Nemanja Matic’s days at the club appear to be numbered.
The main issue for Pogba has been his perceived lack of desire, and the attitude that he has shown at times since returning to England from Juventus for a then world record fee. He fell out with Jose Mourinho when he was in charge at Old Trafford, and there has often been criticism for his work ethic on the field, as well as some of the comments made off it by he and his agent.
There have been rumours that Pogba will leave United at some point this year, either in January, or come the summer. Even if he doesn’t leave this January, he is likely to be out for a few months, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could really do with bringing in a replacement this January.
Here are five men that Manchester Untied could target to replace Pogba in midfield.
#1 Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen)
We have seen in his time in charge so far that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen to build for the future at Old Trafford, and is looking to bring in younger players to build his side around. He may take that same step when he chooses to replace Pogba, and if he wants to sign a young midfielder, he may as well target one of the most talented youngsters in Europe.
Havertz can play in the centre of the park, as well as in a more advanced role behind the striker, allowing him to have more involvement in attacking positions. The 20-year-old had a fine campaign in the Bundesliga last season, scoring 17 times, as well as providing three assists. He may not come cheap, but he will certainly be a long term fix to the problem.
#2 James Maddison (Leicester City)
It may be that Manchester United want to sign a player with Premier League experience, particularly in January, as it can often be very difficult for a player new to the division to get to grips with its pace and intensity.
In which case, one man certainly worth taking a look at is Leicester City’s James Maddison, who has been a crucial part of the Foxes’ success so far this season. They currently sit in third, and look likely to reach the Champions League places.
Maddison has been with Leicester since the start of the 2018/19 season, and has adapted well to life in the Premier League. He has proved to be an excellent creative player in behind the striker, and is adept from dead balls.
The only issue is that as an English player, Maddison certainly wouldn’t come cheap, particularly midway through the season. It must also be asked if United have the appeal that they once did, with Leicester much more likely to be playing Champions League football next season that the Red Devils.
#3 Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon)
Solskjaer may look to replace Paul Pogba with someone who brings more goals to the team, perhaps to help take the pressure off Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial up front.
In that case, an excellent option may be Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes, who has proven he has an eye to goal during his time in Portugal. Since the start of the 2017/18 season, Fernandes has scored 39 goals in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, as well as providing 28 assists.
He has also starred in Europe, netting five times in five Europa League games so far this season. Of all the players on this list, he looks most likely to make the switch to Old Trafford this month, with much of the talk fuelled by Sporting Head Coach Silas’ admission that they are preparing for life without the midfielder this month. He has been linked with Tottenham in the past, so there may be a bidding war between the two sides this summer.
#4 Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United)
We have seen in the past that Solskjaer has liked to sign young, homegrown talent, something shown by the signings of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
He may wish to continue that trend with the signing of Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff, who has impressed for the Magpies since being brought into the side under Rafa Benitez last season. This isn’t the first time that he has been linked with United, with reports suggesting that they made two bids for the 22-year-old in the summer, but fell short of Newcastle’s £50 million valuation.
Unlike the previous names on the list, Longstaff has a more defensive mindset, and would perhaps play in more of a holding role. This is something United may need to add to their squad though, as they haven’t exactly been secure at the back so far this season.
However, £50 million a lot of money to spend on someone who has only played 24 games in their Premier League career.
#5 Emre Can (Juventus)
If Manchester United do want to add some Premier League experience to their side, it may come in the shape of someone who has spent a bit of time in England with their biggest rivals - Emre Can. The 26-year-old played 110 times in the Premier League for Liverpool between 2014 and 2018, before making the move to Juventus on a free transfer.
Things haven’t quite worked out at the Italian giants though, and he has appeared just eight times in Serie A this season, and was left out of their squad for the Champions League group stage.
He may be available for a move this summer, and he will want to be playing somewhere he can earn himself a spot in Germany’s squad for Euro 2020 this summer. Much like Longstaff, he has a much more defensive mindset, and doesn’t really offer the same sort of goal threat as Pogba. He will however come cheaper than some of the other players on this list, and he is the sort of player United need.
