Erik ten Hag has overhauled his team in the middle of the pitch – but is something missing?
Erik ten Hag has got the No6 he craved – yet the general sense is that Manchester United’s midfield still lacks “something.” That is remarkable, considering the new manager’s summer business has seen him change two thirds of a three-man engine room with the signings of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Ideally, he wanted to make another addition – Frenkie de Jong being his priority target – though it is highly unlikely United would have moved for Casemiro had the Dutchman been signed first.
So what exactly is missing from a midfield with Eriksen’s vision and range of passing, Casemiro’s ball-winning and shielding, and Bruno Fernandes’ goals?
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The De Jong effect
Ten Hag’s preference was for De Jong to come in, carry the ball from deep areas and dictate play. But a trio of the Barcelona midfielder, Eriksen and Fernandes always looked lacking in terms of ball-winning qualities. It looked a bit light for the Premier League – in danger of being overrun.
Ten Hag has lost none of his enthusiasm over the potential signing of De Jong – and United are prepared to go back in for the Netherlands International if the opportunity arises in future windows.
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The Fernandes debate
Putting aside the need for a squad, rather than an XI, it still raises questions over precisely where United are lacking – and who would be the fall guy.
Fernandes?
Saturday’s 1-0 win against Southampton was a microcosm of what the Portugal international brings to the team – both positively and and negatively.
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Why Fernandes is so crucial
He is a match-winner – be it through his goals, such as his second half strike at St Mary’s, or his relentless determination to make things happen in the final third.
He is a difference maker – a threat that defenders have to be alive to throughout the 90 minutes.
It is fair to say Fernandes prolonged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United reign by a good 12 months – so crucial were his goals from January 2020 to May 21.
He was the spark United desperately lacked. He took them to new levels – and in a team that so often relied on winning matches in clutch moments, he was perfect for Solskjaer’s counter-attacking system.
The decision to hand him a new contract in April remains a curious one, considering his dramatic loss of form last season – but he is one of a very small number of United signings over the past nine years who could be considered an unequivocal success.
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Eriksen as a 10?
Yet, if Ten Hag’s midfield is missing “something,” is Fernandes the component that can make way?
Does a De Jong-type replace Eriksen, who would then be moved forward to take up a No10 role, which is possibly where he is best suited?
He is a better user of the ball than Fernandes – more capable of unlocking deep-lying defences with a threaded pass in tight spaces.
