Manchester United will be looking to sign a couple of central midfielders after the exit of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard this summer following the expiration of their long-term contracts. The promise of a new rebuild set a refreshing precedent with the club currently undergoing a major overhaul vis-à-vis the restructuring of its footballing hierarchy.

The Red Devils are expected to spend a substantial amount in the transfer market in a bid to back their newly appointed manager, Erik ten Hag, whilst also ensuring they refrain from past mistakes in their recruitment strategy over the transfer window.

While Manchester United continue being linked to numerous promising and established midfielders across Europe, the need to address the lack of quality in squad depth combined with the untenable necessity of securing priority targets could see Ten Hag and the recruitment team balance their expenditure across all areas of the pitch this summer.

With the consensus establishing the need to secure at least four signings this summer and with United having already registered their interest in signing the likes of Frenkie De Jong, Jurrien Timber, and Darwin Nunez, the club are expected to look for budget-friendly options to have at least two quality personnel across all outfield positions.

Moreover, with the midfield emerging as the priority, given the departures of numerous midfielders combined with the evident lack of world-class quality in the department, Manchester United will be expected to secure at least two top-quality options in that position this summer.

Konrad Laimer (Current Club: RB Leipzig, Valuation: €20-25m)

A tenacious ball-winner alongside boasting exceptional box-to-box attributes, the Austrian international emerges as an ideal option for United under Ten Hag. With the ability to serve as a solitary defensive midfielder or as a deep-lying conductor in a midfield pivot, Laimer is expected to suit Ten Hag’s ideal vision, given his preferred system and set-up require his midfield personnel to conduct the press alongside executing their roles exquisitely on the pitch.

Moreover, considering the ideal modern midfielder boasts an imposing physical presence combined with sublime technical ability and tactical know-how, the 25-year-old is ideally suited to a system requiring him to serve as a ferocious conductor on the pitch.

Having outscored the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay across various metrics in passing, defensive actions and possession, the Austrian is certain to improve United’s underperforming midfield provided he ends up at Old Trafford this summer.

However, with current Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann reportedly keen on securing Laimer’s services after the Austrian’s contract expires next summer, United will be needing to move swiftly if they are to buy the player. Nevertheless, with the Red Devils having focused their resources on securing the services of De Jong from Barcelona hitherto, it remains to be seen if the club moves swiftly in registering another top-quality midfielder ahead of the new season.

Yves Bissouma (Current Club: Brighton & Hove Albion, Valuation: €35-40m)

Another modern midfielder boasting impeccable attributes in defensive and offensive actions, Bissouma emerges as a tempting option with Ten Hag looking to recruit technical and energetic players this summer. Having applied his trade at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, the Mali international has proven himself at the highest level.

He has piqued the interest of numerous clubs including Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa in recent windows. Moreover, expected to leave Brighton provided a club meets their valuation for the midfielder, Bissouma will be keen on making an ambitious move to a bigger club this summer.

Boasting enviable composure in possession alongside serving as an aggressive ball-winner in the opposition’s half, the midfielder is likely to improve United’s transitions and their ball retention moving up the pitch under Ten Hag’s system.

Primarily serving as a box-to-box midfielder whilst also capable of playing in a deep-lying role, the 25-year-old is renowned for his ability in maneuvering tight spaces whilst also being reliable in executing his defensive and off-the-ball duties efficiently. Moreover, outscoring United’s current midfield in tackles, interceptions, and blocks, among other metrics, the Mali international will only add to the team’s prospects of boasting a world-class midfielder under Ten Hag.

With Aston Villa and Chelsea reportedly keen on securing Bissouma’s services this summer, United will be needing to act quickly if they are to lure him to Old Trafford ahead of the new campaign. However, given the player’s controversial background and the possibility of being out-bid by another club, Bissouma remains amongst the midfielders unlikely to arrive at Manchester United this summer.

Ruben Neves (Current Club: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Valuation: €40-45m)

Reportedly, a fall-back option to Frenkie De Jong, the Portuguese international is expected to move on from Wolves this summer. With Barcelona and Manchester United among the few clubs interested in securing his services, the 25-year-old emerges as a proven and experienced option ready to make a big step up in his career.

Primarily deployed as a playmaker in a three-man midfield, Neves boasts a proven ability to dictate play alongside serving as a functional and adaptable figure, capable of playing to the requirements of the manager.

Having witnessed a significant change in his duties under new manager Bruno Lage’s system at Wolves, Neves’ ability has shone through with the midfielder having proven his attributes across both extremes of the pitch in the recently concluded campaign.

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Although having previously been deployed as a deep-lying box-to-box midfielder, Neves’ continued development in contributing to various attacking phases makes him an invaluably versatile midfielder at one’s disposal.

Expected to leave Wolves this summer, Neves emerges as a Premier League proven candidate capable of elevating a team’s midfield performances. A versatile figure yet to move into his prime years, the Portuguese is likely to move to Old Trafford provided the Red Devils fail to land De Jong this summer.

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