The squad is clearly bereft of genuine quality in central midfield, and something needs to be done – fast…
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David Moyes yesterday admitted that his squad is simply not good enough following the defeat at home to Swansea in the FA Cup.
Although Moyes said attracting the right players in January would be especially difficult, fanatix has highlighted the five stars United should, and must target this January…
Unsurprisingly, this list features a number of central midfielders!
Koke – Atletico Madrid (The Mirror)
The young Spaniard is having the season of his life in La Liga. The 21-year-old has scored four, and assisted eight, and unbelievably, at this halfway stage of the season, his side top the table level on points with Barcelona.
Like many Spanish midfielders, he is technically outstanding, and can be compared to a young Andres Iniesta in his slight build and running style. Like the legendary Barcelona player, Koke is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, and can retain possession in tight areas of the field. He would add class and guile to a United midfield currently bereft of ideas and creativity, and due to his age and potential, would be well worth breaking the bank for.
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Artuo Vidal – Juventus (The Independent)
Vidal is probably the best player in Italy right now, scoring 13 goals and assisting four in all competitions for the Serie A table toppers.
Juventus would be loathe to see him go, but United should do all they can to try and sign this world-class Chilean operator.
Vidal is suited perfectly for the Premier League, as he is tenacious in the tackle, hard-working, but has the skill on the ball to cause problems for the opposition defensively. The 26-year-old would walk in to many fan’s ‘World XI’ right now, but United would have to move heaven and earth to sign him.
Read an in depth analysis of how Vidal would fit into the United side.
Ilkay Gundogan – Borussia Dortmund ( The Guardian)
The German midfielder was establishing himself as one of the best on the planet last season, as he led his Dortmund side to the Champions League final, scoring a goal in a match they narrowly lost.
An injury has ruined this season for him though, and he’s only made one appearance in the Bundesliga.
For this reason, a summer transfer might be more realistic, although United fans will hope the 23-year-old would adapt to Premier League life better than the last Dortmund star they signed: Shinji Kagawa.
Claudio Marchisio – Juventus ( The Metro)
The box-to-box Italian is reaching his prime at 27-years-old, but is struggling to nail down a permanent place in the Juve side with the likes of Vidal, Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo equally demanding playing time.
For this reason, the Italian international could well be the most realistic midfield option this January, especially with Juventus cantering to the Serie A title but out of the Champions League.
Marchisio is combative, and does as much work defensively as he does going forward. He can pass the ball, but has a better engine than Michael Carrick or Darren Fletcher.
Fabio Coentrao – Real Madrid (The Mirror)
The 25-year-old can play at left-back, or in a holding midfield position, so would cover two problem areas of the United squad. He’s only made four La Liga appearances this term, and would definitely be available in January should United openly express their interest.
The player likes to dribble up the left flank, but is very comfortable with the ball at his feet, meaning he can play the anchorman role to a good level.
The Portuguese international would likely be starting for most sides in Europe, and a move to United could revitalise his career. Red Devils fans will hope he could then show them why Real Madrid paid a whopping £25m transfer fee for him only two and a half years ago.
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