Moyes' Manchester United Midfield Dilemma

By Adetayo Adebayo

In recent years, many have seen the major problem of recent Manchester United teams to be the central midfield position. Despite the many outcries of fans and critics alike begging for attention to be paid to this seemingly everly present concern. Past manager and iconic figure, Sir Alex Ferguson, refused to admit to this problem and the constant probing by the fans and the media as well, who were the media or the fans to dissuade his ideas as Manchester United repeatedly displayed strong performances both in Europe and the Premier League, bagging trophies on their way.

The baton has been passed and a new manager has taken the helms at Old Trafford and it would seem Moyes the newly-appointed has recognised this problem as it may have been observed in the club's recent transfer activities...


Current Manchester United midfielders such as Anderson and Cleverley do not look like they have the ability to solve that lack of creativity and control that the likes of Paul Scholes had offered to the team during his heydays. Cleverley doesn't generally look classy enough and Anderson's incompetence and inability to showcase his potential have seen both players disregarded for that role. Carrick who has been quite good recently is advancing in years and Darren Fletcher's career has been hampered by injury leaving the club with a gaping hole in that area.

Attempts have been made by Moyes during the summer, initially to try and sign Thiago who he lost to Bavarian giants Bayern Munich and now to Fabregas with transfer talks and negotiations still 'ongoing' despite Barcelona's reiteration that the player is not for sale. These players can definitely do the job as Fabregas had shown during his days in Arsenal which he hasn't quite been able to replicate in Barcelona and Thiago who has shown a lot of promise especially in the recently concluded U21s championship. In the event, that United don't secure these signings, who do they turn to? And how much does it affect their chances?

A couple of names such as Marouane Fellaini can come in and do a decent job, though, not as technically gifted as the aforementioned, his doggedness and overall toughness can give the United midfield something it's lacked in recent years, most especially since after Roy Keane's departure from the club. Other names that have been thrown into the mix are Luka Modric, who has the ability to lift the squad but would most definitely remain at Madrid and also Yohan Cabaye who many would argue lacks the ability to really take United to another level.

All that said, if United fail to secure those signings, they can still be bonafide title challengers. Though on paper it may be difficult to see them do things with such midfield but as recently as last season Sir Alex Ferguson has shown that it's possible. This would mean a lot would depend on David Moyes and the antics he adopts during the season. Other possibilities may include dropping Rooney into a deeper role but that would then mean a lack of the firepower upfront that Rooney gives to the team and a possibility of upsetting the player. 

Manchester United can look to the season with some optimism with players like Kagawa looking like they'd have better seasons and the coming in of Zaha but they need to sort their midfield problems out to ensure a better season.