Before the season commenced, Old Trafford was bustling with activity as Manchester United sought to address various team issues. Despite financial constraints hindering the acquisition of a suitable right-back or central defender in line with Erik ten Hag’s system, the team seemed to have made progress in resolving most of their concerns.
Ten Hag sought a goalkeeper akin to Ederson or Alisson, favoring a player more adept with the ball, which led to the departure of David de Gea. He opted for his former Ajax goalkeeper, Andre Onana, who has performed well in the Premier League but struggled in crucial Champions League moments, making routine saves seem challenging.
However, Ten Hag’s midfield appears to be the team’s most significant weakness rather than Onana’s performance. The pursuit of Sofyan Amrabat throughout the summer concluded with his loan arrival on Deadline Day. However, both Amrabat and Mason Mount, the other midfield addition, have disappointed.
United lacks a top-tier defensive midfielder, a position held by players like Moises Caicedo at Chelsea, Rodri at Man City, or Declan Rice at Arsenal. Casemiro, signed for over €70 million the previous season, hasn’t replicated his previous form, displaying a decline in his defensive solidity and physical endurance.
The absence of a reliable defensive midfielder leads Ten Hag to rely on 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo due to Casemiro’s injury and Amrabat’s underperformance. The deficiency in a specialized defender remains United’s primary concern, particularly in protecting leads.
Chris Sutton highlighted United’s need for a defensive midfield player like Rodri or Rice, criticizing Casemiro’s diminished performance. The decision to offer Casemiro a long-term contract seems unwise given the ongoing midfield vulnerabilities.
Sutton suggested United should target new midfield options in the January transfer window. Players like Crystal Palace’s Jefferson Lerma and Cheick Doucoure, though highly rated, present concerns due to age, potential injury, and cost. Other options like Joao Palhinha and Amadou Onana come with financial constraints, pushing United to look beyond the Premier League.
While prospects like Andre of Fluminense and Arthur Vermeeren seem promising, competing interest from other European clubs makes it challenging for Erik ten Hag to secure a midfielder of Rodri or Declan Rice’s caliber.
