Manchester United are in desperate need of a revamp in the middle of the park and need to sign one more midfielder ahead of the 2023-24 season. The 2023 EFL Cup Winners need an injection of fresh talent to ramp up their Premier League and Champions League challenge for next season.
Casemiro arrived as a £70 million signing last summer. The Brazilian has quickly established his credentials and taken his place as the holding midfielder in the team. Likewise, Bruno Fernandes is also virtually undroppable due to the quality he brings in the attack.
Manager Erik ten Hag experimented with various combinations throughout the season, including Christian Eriksen, Marcel Sabitzer, Fred, and even Wout Weghorst in midfield. However, none of these players has managed to establish a proper partnership with Casemiro in the double pivot.
The Red Devils are looking to rope in two midfielders this summer; one to partner Casemiro, and one to provide cover for the former Real Madrid man. Manchester United completed the signing of Mason Mount from Chelsea this week and are planning to add another midfielder before the 2023-24 season commences.
Several midfielders have been linked with a move to Old Trafford in this summer transfer window. Here are some players Manchester United could look to sign to fill the mdifielder slot ahead of the 2023-24 season:
Adrien Rabiot
Manchester United failed to land Adrien Rabiot after a long pursuit last summer. Now a free agent, the Frenchman has come onto the club’s radar again. According to The Sun, the Red Devils will have to act quickly if they want to sign the midfielder.
The 28-year-old is also being targeted by other English clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur. However, the report states that the player prefers a move to a club that would have qualified for the Champions League next season.
Outside England, Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich are also eyeing a move for the France international. Thomas Tuchel worked with the midfielder between 2018-20 during his time at PSG and is keen to reunite with the player once again.
The French midfielder has been a consistent performer for Juventus since joining in 2020. Across 4 seasons, he has featured in 177 games, scoring 17 and creating 12 more (via fbref). Rabiot primarily plays as a central midfielder but also has the capability to play as a holding midfielder if needed.
The Frenchman likes to get into advanced areas and try to get in on goal. The 28-year-old is composed on the ball and capable of carrying it forward from deeper positions. He is also strong aerially, which could be a useful attribute for set pieces.
The biggest drawback for Manchester United could be the wage demands. The club failed to sign the midfielder last summer for the very same reason. Unsurprisingly, his £10 million-a-year demand was too much for Juventus to accept as well.
Joao Palhinha
Joao Palhinha has been linked to some top clubs including Manchester United after a great season with Fulham. The Portuguese international featured in 35 league games, as the Cottagers finished at an impressive 10th position in the Premier League.
FC Barcelona, Tottenham, Bayern Munich and Liverpool are reportedly keeping tabs on the player. West Ham have also lined up the midfielder as a replacement for Declan Rice. According to Football Insider, Fulham have slapped a £50 million price tag on Palhinha. This makes him a cheaper option than many other midfielders the Red Devils are targeting.
The 27-year-old is a more defensive profile than most of United’s other targets. The Portuguese is very proactive when his team is without the ball. He is an excellent tackler of the ball. He is strong on the ground as well as in the air.
However, on the ball, Palhinha is more passive. He is not particularly a great passer or carrier of the ball. This would make him a great option to play as the pivot just ahead of the centre-backs. With Casemiro already occupying that role, the Fulham midfielder would be limited in the midfield alongside him. Therefore, Joao Palhinha would make a good signing as a backup for Casemiro, rather than as a midfield partner.
Manu Kone
Emmanuel ‘Manu’ Kouadio Kone has caught the eyes of many clubs with his performances in the Bundesliga. The Red Devils were linked with the midfielder last summer. He mainly featured in a double pivot alongside Julian Weigl at Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Frenchman has been mainly targeted by Liverpool. Monchengladbach director Roland Virkus has already admitted that they would allow him to leave if a club meets their valuation. Fabrizio Romano reported that the German club are expecting a bid in the range of £35-40 million for the player.
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The 22-year-old is a fantastic option for Manchester United to pursue. He is predominantly active on the left side of the midfield. He is composed on the ball and can distribute play effectively from deep. Defensively too, Kone is a reliable player, and works very hard off the ball. Since the asking price is also very affordable, the Red Devils can easily try to sign the French midfielder.
Which midfielder should Manchester United sign to improve their midfield ahead of the 2023-24 season? Let us know in the comments.
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