Manchester United have been synonymous with having some of the best midfield players in top-flight history in their ranks throughout the years.
From the likes of Nobby Stiles and Bryan Robson to modern-day greats in the form of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, the engine room has always been one of the strongest areas of the Old Trafford squad.
United now have captain Bruno Fernandes running the show from central areas of the pitch, but it's safe to say he's not getting much help.
Bruno-Fernandes-Man-Utd-1
Keane is only too keen - pardon the pun - to get stuck into the current crop and given they finished 16th in the league last term, that is hardly a surprise.
Jamie Carragher has already told Casemiro to give up football or head to Saudi Arabia, while Manuel Ugarte endured a topsy-turvy first year in England.
It says it all that a certain Scott McTominay, once of United, was the MVP in Serie A with Napoli last season. Perhaps they should have kept him?
McTominay 2024-25 season in numbers (timeless)
Well, while Ruben Amorim and Co are desperately trying to fix a toothless attack with signings like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, they should not ignore the midfield either.
Man United make bid for new midfielder
"Leave the football, before the football leaves you". Those were the famous words muttered in the direction of Casemiro by Carragher in 2024. Harsh words, but perhaps fair ones.
The Real Madrid great has been far from great in United colours, with fellow holding midfielder, Ugarte, also singled out, most notably in the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.
Indeed, Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst wrote during that game that Ugarte was 'a mismatch against Tonali, Joelinton and Guimaraes'. United would do a lot for any of those players.
Well, they could sign one of the best around if reports from Spain are to be believed.
Claims were made midweek that Man United have cast their eyes in the direction of Madrid again and have lodged a bid for French star Aurelien Tchouameni.
aurelien-tchouameni-real-madrid
While new boss Xabi Alonso deems the midfielder to be 'untouchable', the Red Devils are willing to pay up to £77m to secure Tchouameni's services.
How Tchouameni could be Man United's own Declan Rice
What United would do for a player of Declan Rice's calibre, eh? The Arsenal star has made his £105m price tag look like a bargain over the last year, scoring that belting duo of free-kicks against Real Madrid and running the show inside the Bernabeu.
United legend Rio Ferdinand said at the time that the England international has now "put himself in another bracket" of midfielders, having "run the show" in both matches against the Spanish giants.
Amorim's men certainly lack that presence right now but in the form of Tchouameni, they could find their own deep-lying midfielder capable of becoming a star alongside Fernandes.
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni
Notably described as "one of the best defensive midfielders on the planet" by analyst Raj Chohan, the France international feels like he's been around for a while now, but he has truly cemented himself as one of the most noteworthy central players in Europe.
Playing for one of the best teams on the globe in the form of Real, the 25-year-old started 31 of the 32 games he was available for in LaLiga and also started ten of the 12 Champions League ties he was available for.
On that evidence, getting him away from the Spanish capital would be tricky but United must fight hard for this one. He could well be their answer to Rice.
Tchouameni vs Rice: 2023/24 to 2024/25
Stat (per 90 mins)
Goals
Assists
Pass success %
Passes into final 3rd
Progressive passes
Tackles won
Blocks
Interceptions
Successful take-ons
Carries
Ball recoveries
Aerials won
Stats via FBRef.
Analysing the data, the Arsenal sensation has clearly developed his game superbly well in the last two years and now predominantly features as a more advanced no.8 in Mikel Arteta's system.
As a result, he's impacting play more regularly than Tchouameni in the final third, scoring more goals and registering a greater number of assists.
declan-rice-arsenal-celebrates
That being said, their games are certainly comparable when it comes to their defensive work, getting through a similar number of ball recoveries, tackles and interceptions.
What might appeal to Amorim is that Madrid's French superstar is also better in the air than Rice. He may not have the ability to pop up very often in offensive phases of play, but with United boasting Fernandes in their lineup, that's absolutely fine.
So, with upgrades arguably needed on the likes of Casemiro and Ugarte, signing their own Rice in the form of Tchouameni would certainly go down a treat at Carrington.
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