Manchester United have finally signed an experienced defensive midfielder in the summer transfer window. The only problem is that it's Tom Huddlestone and he's a player-coach at academy level.
Erik ten Hag and United officials were in agreement that strengthening in midfield was their priority before the new season starts, but Christian Eriksen is the only new arrival in that area ahead of the opener against Brighton this weekend.
It is by no means a criticism of the Danish international, who has oozed class since he joined. But having lost Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata on free transfers, there is clearly a need for more.
READ MORE: Why United have signed Huddlestone
Work will continue on addressing the problem position before the deadline, and Ten Hag must be well aware that his hopes of success next season could hinge on whether or not United manage to add another elite midfielder to their current player pool.
It means United's focus is very much on the present, but they have also made an important investment in their future with the aforementioned appointment of Huddlestone. The 35-year-old has been appointed as the new player-coach at academy level, though his role is expected to focus more heavily on coaching and he will likely only feature in a handful of matches at most in the coming season.
By the elite standards of United, someone like Huddlestone might not appear to be the most glamorous appointment. However, he deserves huge respect for what he has achieved in the professional game.
Huddlestone used his profile for good as a player, as a regular fundraiser for charity. Back in 2011, after scoring a goal for Tottenham against Arsenal, he accepted a challenge not to cut his hair until he scored again. Two-and-a-half years, and 55 matches later, he finally did so for Hull against Fulham, by which time he had raised almost £60,000 for Cancer Research UK.
That's even before you consider the veteran midfielder has made 242 appearances in the Premier League, with another 238 coming in the Championship and play-off matches, and has four senior England caps to his name.
Those numbers might not seem so impressive when compared with the standards set by United legends Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Bryan Robson, but they still represent a fantastic career in the game, and one which United's current crop of young hopefuls would be lucky to emulate.
With his help, they might just do that.
While there are plenty of experienced professionals to learn from at the club already, United's next batch of promising midfielders will benefit hugely from not only daily tuition from the former Tottenham man, but having the opportunity to learn first-hand in match scenarios.
Huddlestone might be limited in his public appearances in a United shirt. But every day in training he will be available to don a bib if needed and jump into practice matches and offer real-time guidance on midfield roles.
It could prove to be a priceless experience for the likes of Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage, who are both now on the cusp of first-team roles, and even more so for the likes of Youth Cup winners Kobbie Mainoo, Dan Gore and Isak Hansen-Aarøen.
United have an incredibly talented group of young midfielders coming through the youth ranks, but the real challenge is making the transition into the professional game, never mind doing so at United.
If just one of them goes on to have a decent career in the game, then the club will have done their job, though the ultimate goal would obviously be for all of them to go and make a living doing what they love.
Huddlestone will leave a fantastic legacy on English football when he finally makes the permanent transition from player to coach and his lasting one might be in the form of the United youngsters he goes on to inspire.
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