The centre of the park is an area United have strived to fix for years, and several players with the potential to provide the remedy could be available.
Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are among the names being considered at Old Trafford, although each of their clubs will have something to say about any approach, as will other suitors.
Jack Grealish, Declan Rice, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Florian Wirtz are all midfielders of different varieties to cost £100million or more over the last few seasons, and Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, and Brighton & Hove Albion will inevitably have those prices in mind for whoever comes calling.
United being able to negotiate a fee in their capacity will depend on many factors, and how they work through those talks promises to be intriguing.
Given Casemiro’s expected departure, the uncertainty around Kobbie Mainoo, a lack of minutes for Manuel Ugarte, and the possibility of a further interest in Bruno Fernandes after Al Hilal’s approach in May, it may even be that United look to sign two midfielders next summer.
What midfield profile best suits Manchester United?
Ruben Amorim’s commitment to a 3-4-2-1 places heavy demands on the central midfield pair, who are asked to cover huge distances whenever United lose the ball. And there is evidence they are struggling under that strain.
The map below shows the percentage of passes played into different zones against United compared to their six-season Premier League average, with their exposed central area standing out since Amorim took charge.
When recruiting their next midfielder, the physical presence to plug those gaps is essential, which is why Amorim has reservations about Mainoo, who he said was “struggling a lot defending as a midfielder”.
Tenacity alone won’t be enough, though. Ugarte has that in spades, but lacks guile on the ball. An all-action, technically gifted central midfielder is a rare commodity, but it is the profile Amorim desperately needs, and helps explain their interest in Brighton’s Baleba over the summer.