Three midfield options for Man Utd after Fabrizio Romano name drops Conor Gallagher in transfer plan: opinion
Man Utd could strengthen in midfield in January, here are three possible targets for Ruben Amorim to consider.
Manchester United still have areas of the team that need to be addressed after a summer clear out that saw several big earners moved on.
The forward line has been almost totally changed after a serious transfer spend but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done in the engine room and the defence. Since the first game of the Premier League season, Rúben Amorim has been putting square pegs in round holes – sometimes by choice – when the right signings could add more balance and free up players to play in their best position.
Fabrizio Romano drops midfield priority for Man Utd
The best of example is Bruno Fernandes who continues to be United’s best player and who Amorim is using in a deeper role for a variety of reasons. The Red Devils boss says he admires Kobbie Mainoo although he has also said that the 20-year old England international still has a lot of areas of his game to improve. Manuel Ugarte is another who has been utilised but who has rarely reached anything above a 6/10 with Casemiro continuing to look like a shadow of a player who has five Champions League titles to his name.
Speaking on his Market Madness podcast, transfer supremo Fabrizio Romano has claimed that a midfielder could be top of Amorim’s shopping list and the name that Romano mentions is an interesting one, Conor Gallagher.
He would be perfect for United alongside Mainoo to protect the defence but also capable of going box to box and supporting the attack. In Amorim’s system, the two players in the double pivot need to have energy and legs. Fernandes is a lot of things, but he’s never been known for his pace or athleticism. The England international would also help United’s home grown quota.
Italian job midfielders who could make a difference at United
A former teammate at club level and fellow England cap could be another option with Ruben Loftus-Cheek showing for AC Milan what he is capable of in a variety of roles. The 29-year old is another who could thrive under Amorim, capable of playing anywhere in the middle of midfield.
He is also something that United lack, a player capable of carrying the ball forward out of midfield and breaking opposition presses.
One player who might be harder to sign but who could be a game changer is a midfielder who often goes under the radar. Players like Bruno Guimares and Joelinton get the headlines for Newcastle United, however, it is Sandro Tonali that makes them tick.
When he was missing from the Magpies line up it wasn’t a coincidence that they weren’t as effective or picked up as many points. The Italian would be more expensive, but if United want to compete with the best, they need to sign players who would get in their rivals’ team and Tonali ticks that box.