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The news of Michael Carrick’s six-week lay-off could not have come at a worse time for Manchester United. Their reliance on the English conductor shows that they have significant problems in the centre of midfield. Tom Cleverley, £27 million summer signing Marouane Fellaini, Phil Jones, Anderson and Ryan Giggs have all been drafted into the midfield and then removed this season as David Moyes searches for his best midfield combination.
One player they should possibly consider to beef up their options in that area is Lyon midfielder Maxime Gonalons. They could swoop for the Frenchman’s services in January if necessary. But beware United fans, he does not possess that creative spark or that goal-scoring instinct you have been craving. Gonalons’ style is to break up play and move the ball on to allow others to be creative further up the pitch.
Against Sochaux earlier in the season, he showed that he has the capabilities to break up opposition attacks at will as he prowled around in front of his back four.
Once he regained possession, he proved very reliable on the ball whilst showing us that he has a decent passing range in the process. He completed 94% of his passes, recycling the ball to his full backs and spreading the play forwards too. Gonalons managed to pass between the lines on a regular basis but the vital thing here is that he failed to produce a key pass. Despite the quality of opposition not being the greatest, at least it shows that he can control a game when given the opportunity.
Although he showed he has the ability to pass the ball accurately and reliably against Sochaux, tackling is his staple diet on the football pitch. This season, he has won 24 tackles at a success rate of 73%. He is able to make room for himself after he has won the ball back too, winning 70% of his take-ons.
Gonalons has helped his side out defensively well this season, making 21 clearances and winning 70% of his headed duels.
Although good at what he does, Gonalons is clearly not the player United are looking for. They are craving someone who can create something out of nothing and make runs from deep to score goals like Paul Scholes did in his heyday. The Lyon midfielder has created just four chances all season and not scored a goal, proving that he is a different type of midfielder to what Moyes should be looking at.
Chelsea would seem to need a holding midfielder like Gonalons in their side more than their rivals United as they have been struggling in that department this season.
