Midfield has been a problem for Manchester United for some time.
Despite having a number of options in both defensive and attacking midfield, it has remained a massive weakness as United lack a player who can really dominate a game from the middle of the park and do everything from defending and intercepting to passing and dribbling all the while leading the side. Instead of addressing the area in recent transfer windows, money has been spent on adding yet more attacking talent.
Thankfully, the club seems ready to finally address the situation in the summer and has made a new central midfielder the priority, with Declan Rice the top target. However, until then they are stuck with what they've got and MEN Sport has ranked United's midfielders from best to worst.
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1 - Bruno Fernandes
Like the rest of the side, it's been a difficult few weeks for Bruno Fernandes but even still he remains absolutely crucial to the team. The playmaker's nine goals make him the second top scorer so far this season behind Cristiano Ronaldo, with 14 assists representing a very healthy tally.
Since arriving at the club in January 2020 he has already amassed 49 goals and 39 assists in just 117 games and is capable of creating moments of magic out of nothing. He is United's best midfielder by some distance, even if his risk-taking can be frustrating.
2 - Paul Pogba
Pogba is unlikely to be at the club much longer as his contract expires in the summer and it looks almost guaranteed that he will leave for nothing. The six years have passed by quickly and they have done so without the Frenchman ever really reaching his full potential.
He is, of course, extremely talented, has had some great moments in a red shirt and is still one of the best midfielders at the club but it doesn't feel like there will be too many tears shed upon his departure.
3 - Fred
The Brazilian's stock has continued to rise this season and if he keeps his current run of form up he may go even higher in the list. Freed from a defensive role that doesn't suit him, Fred has shown his dynamic qualities and eye for flair now given permission to get further up the pitch.
His assist for Cristiano Ronaldo's opening goal in the recent victory over Tottenham, a game he was great in, was sublime and, aside from Jadon Sancho, he has been the club's best performer in a difficult period.
4 - Nemanja Matic
Matic has enjoyed a bit of a renaissance of late and has proven how useful he can still be to the side. While now coming towards the end of his career and unable to start more than once a week, his composure on the ball and excellent reading of the game has proven very valuable recently.
5 - Scott McTominay
United's heart-on-sleeve battler could have been higher on the list but has fallen down the pecking order recently, losing his spot in the big games to Matic. While he's had a solid season and continues to ingratiate himself to fans with passionate and tireless displays, he does lack that bit of quality on the ball to make him a great player.
6 - Donny van de Beek
Another midfielder who may call an end to his time at Old Trafford is Van de Beek. The Dutchman struggled for minutes throughout his initial 18-months at the club and has done little in his stint on loan at Everton so far to show that he deserved more. It's not his fault that the Toffees could actually go down but he certainly hasn't helped propel them away from the bottom as was hoped.
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7 - James Garner
In contrast, the future is looking very bright for James Garner. Only a lack of experience at the top level keeps him below Van de Beek but it doesn't look like it'll be long until he starts getting games in the Premier League. Whether it's at United or not remains to be seen.
Supporters will no doubt be hoping it is, though, as the academy graduate has once again shone on loan at Nottingham Forest this season and rose to the occasion in each of the Championship club's three outings against top-tier opposition in their run to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
8 - Hannibal Mejbri
Hannibal Mejbri is another bright midfield prospect at the club who fans will be hoping to see more of in the next campaign. A combination of two international tournaments in the middle of the season and injuries have meant that his playing time at all age levels has been limited this season, with just 10 appearances to his name.
He remains very highly rated by the club, though, and will hopefully get another chance in the first team before the end of the season.
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