It’s Manchester United’s most pressing need as the Erik ten Hag era at Old Trafford gets underway.
A midfielder, or ideally two, to replace the departing Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata, finally solving a shortcoming in the United squad that has festered for several years now.
Their lack of a top class defensive or central midfielder – with Fred and Scott McTominay the usual combination – has again been brutally exposed by quite a few opponents in the underwhelming season that has just finished.
Sportsmail assesses some of the possible targets in this problem position and United’s chances of signing them.
New Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will need to bring in a midfielder or two
FRENKIE DE JONG
United’s first-choice target. The Barcelona man knows Ten Hag well having enjoyed a successful couple of years playing under him at Ajax, a time which included their run to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
Although De Jong has two years remaining on his contract, the Nou Camp club, whose financial problems are well documented, are apparently open to selling him this summer.
They paid Ajax £75million for De Jong back in 2019 and will wish to recoup most, if not all, of that fee given his obvious midfield talent and age of 25.
Despite the personal connection to Ten Hag, United are encountering several obstacles in pulling off what would be their box-office buy of the summer.
De Jong this week made clear his desire to remain at Barcelona, where he is a regular starter in LaLiga and the Champions League.
Frenkie de Jong is a leading target for United but he wishes to stay with Barcelona
‘I prefer to stay with Barcelona. Barcelona is just my dream club. Also from a young age,’ he told ESPN.
‘I’ve never regretted my choice despite the fact that I had hoped for more in terms of prizes that I’ve achieved so far. But I have never regretted my choice.’
You also have to wonder whether a top class player such as De Jong would wish to give up Champions…