For all of Manchester United's problems last season, it was their lack of a defensive-minded midfielder that was by far and away their biggest.
United invested heavily in their squad last summer, strengthening their central-defensive and wide options with the additions of Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho, respectively. That meant that there was little room left in the budget to bring in a world-class holding midfielder as well.
Although hindsight can often prove to be a wonderful thing in football, United must have regretted not bringing in a player of that profile. It was a problem that plagued them throughout the campaign and the need to sign a defensive midfielder this summer was accepted a long time before even Ralf Rangnick had become a familiar name around Manchester.
