Manchester United’s game away at the Emirates was supposed to mark a new beginning. It was meant to mark United’s intent of securing a top four finish after all especially considering how badly Arsenal had been performing leading up to the tie.
Chelsea and Tottenham dropped points earlier in the day, so Manchester United had a perfect opportunity to edge closer to 4th-place, but somehow, United succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Mikel Arteta’s side, after fielding what can only be described as a midfield set-up that lacked creativity and impetus.
Luckily for United, these sort of performances don’t have to continue. The January transfer window is in full swing, and as such, the Red Devils have a chance to make some major improvements to their squad in a bid to have a realistic chance of making it into the top four.
Here’s a look at 5 players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side could sign in January to bolster their midfield;
Jack Grealish
Jack Grealish led Aston Villa to only their 6th Premier League victory of the season with a man of the match display away at Burnley, who are notoriously difficult to break down at Turf Moor.
The 24-year-old scored the winner for Aston Villa in their 2-1 victory after also playing an influential role in his side’s first goal.
So far this season, Grealish has made 10 goal and assist contributions for Aston Villa in 18 appearances and has proven to be a key player for them, often scoring important goals and making game-winning passes.
Aston Villa’s Grealish has the ability to influence a game in a way no player at United can currently boast of. He’d be an excellent addition to United’s midfield during the January transfer window.
Bruno Fernandes
A move for Bruno Fernandes might be somewhat of a long shot after failing to secure his services back in January, but at this point, Manchester United are in dire need of a player with his skillset, and as such, they could very well splash the cash to lure Fernandes to Old Trafford.
Fernandes would be able to add some much-needed creativity to Manchester United’s squad thanks to his impressive ability to distribute the ball across long distances, as well as his ability to find the back of the net from outside the box.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
Few midfielders have been linked with a move to Manchester United for as long as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has. This is primarily due to how similar the 24-year-old is to Paul Pogba who’s future at United remains uncertain.
Standing at 6’3, Milinkovic-Savic boasts a huge frame and incredible physicality which allows him to successfully win aerial dues and physical battles across the pitch.
Despite his height, Milinkovic-Savic possesses nimble footwork and incredible technique, making him somewhat of a complete midfielder in terms of the roles his skillset allows him to perform on the pitch.
Milinkovic-Savic has featured in 16 games for Lazio this season, scoring 3 goals and making 4 assists. He’d be an excellent addition to United’s squad as the Red Devils look to push for a top four finish.
Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen might be the best midfielder for Manchester United to sign primarily due to his experience playing at the highest level in the Premier League and in latter stages of the Champions League.
He has proven to be one of the best midfielders in the world since he arrived at Tottenham in 2013, attracting the interest of even Real Madrid who view him as an ideal player to bolster their star studded midfield.
Eriksen looks likely to leave Tottenham according to reports, hence Manchester United could be presented with a golden opportunity to acquire his services in January.
Saul Niguez
Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez who over the years has proven to be one of the best midfielders in the Spanish top-flight.
Saul boasts incredible composure, impressive passing abilities, mesmerizing dribbling and the ability to find the back of the net from the right areas.
The 25-year-old also is also pretty great defensively, which allows him to perform a box-to-box role for Atletico Madrid.
Saul would introduce a new dynamic to United’s midfield, helping them solidify their midfield en route to a potential top four finish.
