At Manchester United, tensions are escalating for incumbent manager Jose Mourinho. His only vent – the summer and January transfer windows. Gaffer’s ‘valued’ and only senior alternative in midfield – Marouane Fellaini, is eminently disliked by fans and followers.
Talking about Fellaini, the Belgian’s supposed departure (to Turkey or China) could leave a puncture in United’s muddy midfield, deplete their aerial armoury and delink the backline from attacking half – eventually forcing them back into defence. United are ipso facto in the hunt for better options than the makeshift caretaker Daley Blind, naturally attacking (and now ‘transformed’) Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini himself.
Building on these reports, we break down United’s midfield wishlist.
Quick Reconnect
The current state of affairs in Premier League is a manufactured product of the windfall that each club received from the deconstructed TV rights (set to rise above £8.5 billion by 2019).
TV moola motivated the Reds to introduce Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan next to free agent ‘Ibra’ in 2017. Last term Mou traded between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations, preferably deploying Armenian Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the hole under the 4-2-3-1 arrangement while limiting Paul Pogba’s attacking capacities.
Mourinho is looking to build upon his (‘satisfactory’) treble-winning first term in charge at Old Trafford. The deployment of a pillar in the core stands essential for his plans – even if Fellaini does not unhand in the coming years.
Alvaro Morata, Ousmane Dembele, Gary Cahill – United are once again being linked to big names around the globe: However, they are more focused in their search for a halfback, to close down spaces in the heart of the field.
The Sun reports Fábio Henrique Tavares or simply Fabinho as Mourinho’s third choice for the role – with the gaffer tracking a more experienced Chelsea FC Nemanja Matic. ‘Unhappy’ midfielder, (a tag played down by Mauricio Pochettino) Eric Dier also features on the sheets.
Report Card
Based on their performances in 2016/17 season, we place five strategic filters to predict who might get The Special One’s nod.
(All stats were collected from ‘Premierleague.com’, ‘Foxsports.com’ ‘Whoscored.com’ and ‘Transfrmarkt.com’, and are based on previous season’s performance in respective domestic leagues only).
Scouting Filter #1: Teamplay
Fabinho fairly dominated the game for his club in the last edition of Ligue 1 and completed 84.4% of his 1764 passes to earn a reputation among the European elites. Matic performed better with a completion rate of 87.7% to his 1865 passes (having played three matches less!)
However, with 1981 passes (0.65 each minute), Dier seizes the lead.
Scouting Filter #2: Defensive Mindset
Considered less assertive than seasoned associate Tiemoué Bakayoko, Fabinho displayed a nodal involvement in AS Monaco’s league winning campaign. The cheerful Brazilian won 3.1 tackles per 90 minutes (102 in total) and averaged 1.8 clearances while also making 1.4 interceptions per game.
Matic read higher in interceptions-count (50 in all) – with a success tackles rate of 73% and a striking 241 recoveries in the entire stretch.
Also read: How Manchester United could line up next season
Meanwhile, for Lilywhites, Dier (4.1 clearances per game) spearheaded the obligatory security blanket whenever his wing partner Kyle Walker ventured forward into the channel.
Scouting Filter #3: Movement with the Ball
Fabinho reaped better rewards when heading for the sticks, than Matic and Dier combined – with a figure of 9 goals and 0.9 key passes per game. Also, the former Real Madrid recruit boasts of 1 dribble and 0.8 shots in each of his 37 domestic matches under Leonardo Jardim, clocking an impressive 341 minutes to a goal.
Scouting Filter #4: Match Presence
Eric Dier is often considered one of the ‘most versatile’ Premier League prospect (alongside Crystal Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp) – from playing across the flanks (20 crosses) to showcasing his mettle in the deep, Spurs’ employee has shown it all.
Although his stats are better on the defensive side, his credentials permit him to ignite play from anywhere on the field. Dier minted nearly 55 passes every game – better than any of his teammates.
Scouting Filter #5: Overall Control
Although none of the three lacked in hold-up play, Dier’s strong work ethic allowed him to stay longer on the ball: The English lad comes out on top with his 2,402 touches and 162 recoveries.
Fabinho too had a daunting 5641 touches in the French Premier Division.
Matic prides himself in his ability to successfully trap the incoming balls (unsuccessful touches rested below 0.9 per game on average).
Round Up
Precisely since Carrick’s transfer, the Reds find themselves ill at ease while dealing with Tottenham’s Active Chairman Daniel Levy. So, it may be strenuous to lure Dier away from White Hart Lane.
Elsewhere, Fabinho’s three-lunged approach and assorted strengths are stirring, considering he is still young at 23!
Judging on seasonal volumes, he is a big fish to fry. But, the ability to prevent the counters, an eye for the long balls, an impressive tally fetched along three years of English competitive football (and an additional two in 2009), thorough understanding of the “in-fashion 3 at the back formation” and a capacity to drive the ball upfield are certain factors propelling Matic’s claim to the top-spot.
As a matter of curiosity, Mourinho criticised the 6’4” Serbian for taking too many ineffective touches in 2015 – his final term with the Blues. Matic and Hazard reprised their play for Antonio Conte. As a consequence, Chelsea FC found themselves sandwiched between pole position and an all-inclusive profit of £153.2 million.
The left-footed powerhouse (valued at over £40 million) is reportedly unsettled in reaction to the ‘Bakayoko rumours’.
Conte conveys Matic as essential part of the time and that “he is not on the transfer list”. As of now, it remains to be seen how the West Londoners would receive and respond to any future offers from the rival clubs.
Ranks and 2017/18 Predicted Finishes for Manchester United:
#1. Predicted Finish with Matic – 3/4
#2. Predicted Finish with Fabinho – 5
#3. Predicted Finish with Dier – 3
