Manchester United’s engine room is one area head coach Ruben Amorim will need to sort if he is to return the club to the top.
In his 3-4-2-1 system, the United boss demands midfielders who can run, tackle, and transition quickly.
He yearns for players who can turn moments of defence into attacking dominance, with a smart foul and a brilliant switch pass.
While young Kobbie Mainoo could eventually be polished into that profile, the rest of United’s midfield options are unlikely to offer the same.
A younger Casemiro would have been the perfect fit, but with his athleticism waning, he is now more of a liability, especially when paired with Bruno Fernandes.
Manuel Ugarte, yes, can do the tackling.
But while he has shown improvement, he is not the pretty progressive midfielder Amorim’s system demands.
The South American may still have a key role to play, particularly when seeing out games, but tactically, it is hard to see him laying the foundation of Amorim’s dream midfield.
Promising midfield plan drops Amorim’s project could benefit massively from a midfield upgrade.
INEOS need to deliver that athletic midfield signing.
Fortunately for the Portuguese tactician, it is a transfer the club are actively working on.
Fabrizio Romano recently hinted that midfield is one of three positions INEOS plans to bolster.
Now, Teamtalk has a clue who the Red Devils may go for.
They reveal, “As an alternative, we understand United now have three names under consideration before the window shuts, with Atalanta star Ederson, Douglas Luiz of Juventus and Amorim’s top choice, Morten Hjulmand of former club, Sporting CP, all on their shortlist.”
What a transfer wishlist. Any of the three options, and United, would be good to go, with any of them being perfect to partner Bruno Fernandes (who is expected to drop to central midfield).
INEOS remain undecided, but of the trio, who is ultimately the preferred midfield option? The Peoples Person readers have a clear favourite.
In a poll asking which number six United should sign, most readers have settled on Morten Hjulmand.
With 45 per cent of the votes so far, the Sporting CP captain, who is attracting serious interest from Serie A, has been the most preferred.
Long-term target Ederson came second with 20 per cent.
Interestingly, Douglas Luiz, despite his brilliance at Aston Villa before a nightmare 202425 campaign, has only received 12 per cent of the votes so far, coming third.
While the poll may be painting a picture of the ideal midfield for Amorim’s project, it is now down to United to settle on one target, turn that interest into a formal bid, and do so swiftly.
With the quality these three midfield targets possess, there is plenty of competition to land any of them.
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Daniel Onguko Since Dan was introduced to Manchester United in 2008, he has lived and breathed the club. What started as being a fan evolved into writing about United, allowing him to feel part of their journey. Hopefully, his work might even help rekindle your love for the kings of Manchester.
