Manchester United‘s rebuild under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take a few transfer windows to yield results, and it seems that the Red Devils are set to continue their spending in the January transfer window. According to Manchester Evening News, United could splash the cash to buy a midfielder in January making use of the money they got from the Romelu Lukaku transfer.
The Red Devils have yet to replace Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini, who were sold in the last two transfer windows. United need one, if not two midfielders, to strengthen their squad and rebuild their side to challenge for the Premier League.
Let’s take a look at 3 players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should target.
James Maddison
Leicester City‘s James Maddison has had a solid start to the 2019-20 Premier League season, registering two assists in four games. His good form has resulted in him being called up to the England senior squad recently. The 22-year-old, who can play as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or a wide player who can drift into central areas, is a player with tremendous potential and one who is touted to be an England regular in the future.
Maddison has great technique as well as intelligence, threading balls in behind the defence, while also being deadly from set-pieces. The former Norwich City player has the ability to pass, cross, and shoot, and would be a very good addition to the United squad. He would fit well in a 4-3-3 set-up or a 4-2-3-1 set-up under Ole, where he could play as the No. 10. While he may not be able to control the game from midfield at the same level as someone like Paul Pogba, he is a player who can dribble, pass, and move the ball ahead with precision.
Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen’s contract with Tottenham Hotspur expires at the end of the 2019-20 season, and it is all but certain that the Danish international will leave Spurs. Eriksen has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the Premier League, scoring 50 goals and 64 assists in 210 games for Spurs in the league.
He was rumoured to leave Spurs for Real Madrid in the summer, which seemed to be his preferred destination, but if the Spanish giants don’t make a bid, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should place an offer for the 27-year-old. Eriksen can dictate the tempo of the game, play several roles in midfield, while also rack up assists, which has been missing in United’s midfield.
Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United’s chief midfield target in the summer was Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes, who had a phenomenal 2018-19 season, scoring 32 goals and providing 18 assists in the season. Several clubs, including Spurs and Real Madrid, were interested in the midfielder, but it seemed like he was set to join the Red Devils.
But the deal did not materialise with reports suggesting that United’s scouts dissuaded Ole from signing the player as his pass completion rate wasn’t high enough. But Fernandes is showcasing his talents once again in the 2019-20 season, having already scored twice and made four assists in four games in the Portuguese league. Fernandes may lose the ball more than other players, but he creates several chances and also scores goals, which is lacking in the United team currently.
And with latest reports emerging that the club might still be open to his sale if a substantial offer comes in, United must surely be in the race if such a scenario crops up in the coming months.
