Michael Carrick is not getting the best out of Man Utd’s squad, but he’s also been hit by key absences like Kobbie Mainoo.
The sparkling run of form as interim Man Utd manager last season under Michael Carrick was largely driven by Kobbie Mainoo’s maverick midfield displays.
He was taking a superstar leap in real time, and his absence this season has left Man Utd without a metronomic presence to control the games.
They need someone who is close to Mainoo’s skillset, and in the 105-touch metronome, they have already identified one.
Man Utd target Louis Page is driving Leicester’s resurgence
This is a deal that should have been done last summer, but Louis Page has done remarkably well to bounce back from that disappointment.
Leicester City have been a chaos club this season, which is not the ideal atmosphere for a youngster to develop, but Page has been a beacon of light.
He was setting himself apart in a poor team at the start of the season, but now, he’s actively driving their resurgence up the table, with Leicester winning three of their last four games.
In the most recent win against Wigan Athletic, Page was at his metronomic best, spraying the ball around with calmness and composure, and controlling the tempo of the game.
He finished the game with a remarkable 105 touches, completing 79 out of 85 passes, with nine of those into the final third.
Despite finishing the game without a goal or an assist, Page was a key part of Leicester’s game plan, as he never let Wigan get a sniff of the ball in dangerous situations and kept it well when he had it.
Three tackles also showed his slowly developing combative side, and playing League One football will definitely help him evolve further.
Man Utd must sign Page in January
United were close to signing Page last summer but the deal fell apart over a few million, much to the frustration of many fans.
His form since then has given United no reason to rethink their stance, and with Page’s allegiance towards the club, they need to strike while the iron is hot.
It is inevitable that vultures will start circling Page next summer when he keeps this form up, and United’s financial situation clearly can’t afford a bidding war.
A deal should be closed in January, even if it means Page stays the full season at Leicester, because that is what the Foxes could demand.
After all, he’s the main driving force behind their rise up the table.