Last summer, Manchester United parted with £89million to prise former youth team star Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford from Italian giants Juventus. The France international was expected to set the Premier League alight, and continue the fine form which saw United value him as the world’s most expensive player.
Pogba is a central midfielder; a man destined to play down the middle. At Juventus he proved he could consistently find the back of the net, and at United he has scored goals this season. There have been questions over exactly where Pogba should play in the middle of the park. Is he a holding midfielder, or should he be playing behind further forward? He has the ability on the ball to play behind a central striker, and in this forward role, would rack up goals and assists in abundance.
United already boast a world class striker in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but talk has been rife about the Red Devils’ interest in France striker, and Pogba’s close friend, Antoine Griezmann. Should Griezmann grace Old Trafford next season, the partnership that could form between himself and his international teammate could be something of legend.
However, if Pogba is to play a more forward role, who should partner Ander Herrera behind this plethora of attacking talent?
Marouane Fellaini has found himself in the role this season, as has Michael Carrick. Fellaini is not a long term option for this role by any means, with many United fans feeling it is time that the big Belgian moved on from Manchester.
Carrick has held the United midfield together for over a decade, but at 35-years-old, his time is coming to an end. High hopes were had for Morgan Schneiderlin, but the new Everton man did not have the ability to step up to the elite level at which United expect.
Many have been touted as possible options to replace the ageing Carrick in the middle, but these three players stand above the rest as realistic, reliable options for the role of Jose Mourinho’s midfield general…
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Before this season had begun, not many outside of France would claim to have heard of Tiemoue Bakayoko. Not many may even have heard of him before Monaco’s heroics against Manchester City. Yet now the young Frenchman is being touted as one of the most promising holding midfielders in European football.
Only 22-years-old and on the verge of a Champions League semi final appearance, Bakayoko has been a stalwart in the Monaco team that scores for fun. Patrolling the gap in front of the back four, Monaco have been able to build attack after attack through Bakayoko’s reading of the game, as the midfield man boasts an average of almost three interceptions per game in the Champions League this season.
He also scored the goal that took Monaco past Manchester City, so is already endeared to the Old Trafford crowd. Bakayoko would be an excellent addition to United’s midfield.
Franck Kessie
Franck Kessie is another man unheard of before this season. With 15 international caps for the Ivory Coast already under his belt, the 20-year-old is a star of the future. A successful loan spell in Serie B last term paved the way for his return to the Atalanta starting XI this year, and he has continued his form in the Italian top flight.
In 22 starts the midfielder has been involved in nine goals, which is a fantastic return for a holding player. Kessie’s form has contributed to the success of his side, with Atalanta pushing for an unlikely European spot. Due to his ability to control a game from the middle whilst having an eye for goal, he has drawn comparisons with compatriot Yaya Toure, and rightly so.
Team mate Alejandro Gomez suggested in February that Kessie had agreed a deal with Roma but since then no deal has materialised. Chelsea have been strongly linked with the player, and Mourinho should move fast should he wish to sign one of Africa’s hottest prospects.
Kessie would slot straight into the United line up, and a partnership in the middle alongside Ander Herrera could be seen at Old Trafford for many years to come.
Toni Kroos
The one that got away for ol’ David Moyes. The former United manager claimed that he was extremely close to securing the German’s signature for United only to be scuppered by the board. Ouch!
Toni Kroos is one of, if not the best player in his position. The German international proved this on the big stage by winning the World Cup in 2014, and has continued to do so since his move to Real Madrid.
The former Bayern man has the ability to control games, and does so with consummate ease. Unbelievably, Kroos may be a realistic option for United this summer. In their endless search to bring together a team of ‘Galacticos’ Real Madrid have pinpointed United stopper David De Gea as their future number one.
They have chased De Gea for a number of windows, and this summer may finally be the year the Spaniard moves back to his home city. United will not let their prized asset leave on the cheap however, and Kroos may well have to be included in any deal which sees De Gea leave Old Trafford.
If United are offered Kroos plus cash in the summer for goalkeeper, they should be biting Madrid’s hand off.
