It would be difficult to find any supporter contesting the fact that Manchester United have had a strong transfer window up until this point.
So far, United have brought in two new acquisitions in Tom Heaton and Jadon Sancho. A third signing is also set to be officially confirmed with the imminent arrival of Real Madrid’s Raphaël Varane.
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, John Murtough and Darren Fletcher have identified key areas where United need significant improvement from last season. However, many fans see the central defensive midfielder position as the difference between a top four finish and a genuine title challenge.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United are actively pursuing a holding midfielder in the transfer market, with Declan Rice the preferred candidate. However, this move is unlikely to happen due to West Ham’s valuation, rumoured to be in the region of £100million.
Despite this, there are plenty of options that United could pursue. Not only would a CDM spell the potential end to a Fred and Scott McTominay midfield pivot, but it would allow Paul Pogba to play in the number eight role with more freedom to support offensive opportunities.
Similar to what we see with Pogba in a France shirt, he excels when a defensive-minded midfielder supports the back four and progresses the ball going forward.
But who is the perfect option on the market?
Two midfield options that standout are Ruben Neves and Saul Niguez.
Whilst it is understood United aren’t actively pursuing Neves or Niguez, they could be the ideal midfield choices.
Both would fit into the system that Solskjaer will be looking to play, however when comparing the two together, they have dissimilar attributes, offering varied characteristics to what United already have.
Neves – the maestro
Neves with a beautiful touch (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Portuguese midfielder Neves has been one of Wolves’ standout players since their promotion to the Premier League in 2018.
Commonly, he was suited to playing in a two-man midfield via a 3-4-3 formation or as a number six in a three man midfield under former manager, Nuno Espirito Santo.
Therefore, he gives United and Solskjaer two options in how to play.
Neves in a midfield pivot with Pogba, via Chosen 11
United could either line-up with the midfield pivot they commonly utilised throughout last season, with Pogba sat next to Neves in the midfield. This would allow the Frenchman to push higher and support Fernandes in the middle of the park in a more advanced position.
Ruben Neves in a midfield three with Pogba and Fernandes, via Chosen 11
Alternatively, the signing of Neves would allow Pogba and Fernandes to sit beside each other, in front of Wolves’ talisman. Similar to his role in the midfield three, Neves would sit deep and be able to progress the ball out wide to either of United’s wingers.
This is also assisted due to his passing ability. He possesses an asset similar to former United midfielder Michael Carrick, in that he can create chances from a deeper role. Having the opportunity to train under him could really take his game to the next level.
Out of the 31 Premier League games he played, he completed 5.3 long passes per game. Compared to Fred (3.3) and Scott McTominay (2.1), Neves stands out in this field and would add a ‘maestro-feel’ to United’s midfield.
Moreover, Neves had 62 shot creating actions in 2020/21. Whilst this would place him sixth compared to United’s squad, he achieved this with a defensive and limited Wolves team. At Old Trafford, he would excel with better players around him.
Defensively, he is better than any United midfield player.
Neves won the fifth highest number of tackles and interceptions in the Premier League last season with 151. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is the only United player who achieved a higher success rate (153). Ultimately, this illustrates the type of midfielder he is and one that United are crying out for.
Read More
Related Articles
Read More
Related Articles
Saul – the midfield warrior
Saul in action against Wolfsburg (Photo by Nico Paetze/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid’s midfielder has been a wanted man for the past few seasons and there has arguably been no better time to get him.
At the age of 26, Saul is in his prime and has a lot to offer. Whilst he lacks slightly in his passing range compared to Neves, he makes up with his tenacity and control on the ball.
How Saul could line up at United, via Chosen 11
At United, Saul would likely line-up in a midfield pivot alongside either Pogba or McTominay. However, he has the ability to sit back because of his presence in the air and tackling abilities.
One area he excels in is aerial duels. He won 1.9 per game, the third highest in Atletico’s team. Compared to United’s midfielders, he would top the charts, with Pogba (1.3) and Fred (0.3) quite a distance away from his tally.
Saul is sensational at tackling. He completed 1.7 tackles per game, which is once again only bettered by Aaron Wan-Bissaka (2.6). Therefore, he ticks the boxes in being a warrior and progressive midfielder, key attributes which United will be analysing.
You may notice this piece of writing has been produced by a name you’re not familiar with on our regular Manchester United content.
That is because we are expanding our horizons and starting to bring even more to you from a whole host of different voices. We have appointed a whole host of people who – like our journalists – care deeply about what’s happening at Old Trafford – but sit in the stands rather than the press box.
We want to give you raw, authentic fan voices about the big issues at Man United – which is why the story you have read today might sit on the Manchester Evening News for now, and is part of the MEN family, but is not representative of those who work there full time.
Keep your eyes peeled for more info on where you can read more from this author in the future. But in the meantime, we hope you enjoy what they have written.
Going forward, he completed more touches (54) in the opposition box compared to McTominay and Fred combined (53). This portrays that he can be eager to join attacks and United would be an even deadlier force in the final third.
However, the only problem with Niguez is that he is a midfielder in the similar box-to-box mould of Pogba and United already have a backup in Donny van de Beek. Whilst he has defensive attributes, it must be said that Neves adds more dynamism, should he come into the squad. But, with the signing of Varane, it completely changes the role Solskjaer demands from his midfield duo, so he’d fit the bill.
Conclusion
What’s clear is that both Neves and Niguez are solid midfield options for United, should they look at other candidates. If we were to pick one though, it looks like Neves could offer more to what Solskjaer needs and take the club to the next level. Should he be available for the rumoured £35million asking price, it could be a steal.
Stats sourced from WhoScored and Premier League.
