Everton have already begun talks over a deal for Morgan Schneiderlein, whilst Bastian Schweinsteiger’s cameo in the Europa League is unlikely to spark the revival of his career in the North West. Neither player has made a league start under Jose Mourinho and it will not take much to prise them away from the club.
This leaves United short in midfield.
Marouane Fellaini has been given countless chances by the Portuguese, yet his costly foul (having come on as a late substitute) cost the Reds Devils a much needed victory against the Toffees.
United fans certainly don’t want to see the big Belgian playing anytime soon, and will be hoping Mourinho has finally given up hope that he has a place in the squad.
Other midfielders in the squad, such such as Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkitaryan, are far better suited to playing in the advanced three rather than a withdrawn position.
They certainly do not have the physicality or defensive bite that Mourinho both expects and requires from his players in this position.
Michael Carrick certainly has the positional sense and experience to be a success there, as shown by their markedly improved form with him in the team in recent weeks, yet Mourinho’s reluctance to start him suggests a discomfort in building a spine around a relatively immobile 35-year-old.
In the ten games Michael Carrick has featured, Manchester United have won eight and drawn two.
The tenacious Ander Herrera has been immense under the Portuguese, offering a rare ray of light in a frustrating few months.
Having won 47% of his duels and completed 87% of his passes, the tireless Spaniard has the blend of qualities Mourinho requires.
Paul Pogba is starting to show the form that made him the world’s most-expensive player.
This may be in-part down to the inclusion of Carrick, whose defensive positioning allows the Frenchman to drift into advanced areas on the left hand side, where he is most effective.
Any new recruit would, therefore, have to provide Pogba with the similar platform upon which to perform, whilst also having the athleticism to player alongside Carrick if needed.
A look at Mourinho’s most successful midfields in the past suggests a trend in terms of players.
Costinha was the defensive minded base at Porto enabling the likes of Deco to create, the same with Claude Makelele at Chelsea for Frank Lampard, and Esteban Cambiasso for Wesley Sneijder at Inter Milan.
Jose Mourinho and Claude Makelele won two Premier League titles together at Chelsea between 2004 and 2006.
Costinha, Makelele and Cambiasso shared many qualities; all were defensive minded and very energetic, taking on most of the running and hardly featuring in the attacking phases of play. They did the job that Carrick is currently doing but with athleticism to match.
Monaco star Fabinho was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in the summer, and his performances in central midfield this season would make him an ideal candidate for this
role.
His energetic nature and willingness to break down play would provide a formidable partnership with Herrera, ensuring Manchester United dominate possession in games.
Blaise Matuidi would be a similarly apt option, although he lacks experience in the position as is often played on the left of a midfield three to accommodate Marco Verratti. Naby Keita is having a phenomenal season at RB Leipzig, yet his willingness to carry the ball through midfield, beating players on his way, may put off the cautious Mourinho, especially given that he is just 21 years old. Idrissa Gueye of Everton is another option.
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