To build a strong collective, the middle line is an important area and coach Ruben Amorim will need to consider the reasonable options to create MU for the best quality midfield.
Amorim often requires what the central midfielders?
Run. And glossy. So many.
Amorim's 3-4-3 system at Sporting prioritizes the two players with fullness to operate as shuttle midfielders. In the early stages of the process of deploying the ball, most of the work belongs to three center-backs and two Wing-backs. Therefore, the most outstanding contributions of central midfielders under Amorim often until the team does not have the ball.
However, everything changed somewhat in 2023 after Morten Hjulmand – a smart midfielder with the ability to pass accurately – join the club. However, in general, Amorim still likes the “legs of the legs” and the “plowing surface of the yard” – those who have the ability to turn defensive situations into counterattack opportunities thanks to a smart mistake or a precise state transfer line.
Amorim used to work with Manuel Ugarte at Sporting. So isn't Ugarte the most suitable person?
Coach Amorim once admitted that Ugarte has significantly improved the ability to play when there was a ball since he was still in Portugal. However, he often withdrew the Uruguayan midfielder every time MU needs to search for a goal.
The strongest point of Ugarte is the ability to defend deep, especially effective when the team is forced. However, the decision to let him sit on the reserve in the Europa League final showed that Amorim would only see Ugarte as a “special plan” next season.
Ugarte is good at chasing, disputes, and extinguishing the fire broke out. But maybe Amorim is looking for a player who smells smoke early – that is, detecting risks and preventing from the root. It will be an active player without a ball, capable of high pressing and blocking dangerous passes.
What about other midfield options of MU?
The arrival of Matheus CuHa, along with the pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo, shows that Bruno Fernandes is likely to be pulled back to play in the central midfielder under Amorim.
If Casemiro is 26 years old, he may be the perfect partner for the captain. But at the age of 33, the Brazilian midfielder will need a support person to cover the larger space.
Amorim appreciated the progress of Kobbie Mainoo, but he seemed to prefer to use the English player at the No. 10 position rather than the central midfielder in favor of dispute. Partly because the speed of Mainoo is not enough to confront the muscular midfield in the Premier League, the other part is due to the ability to pass the long pass of Mainoo still need to improve.
Toby Collyer has good physical strength to cover the wide range, but his long passing ability is still a question mark. Amorim brought Sekou Kone, 19, accompanied by the team on the post -season trip and this could be a name worth watching during the upcoming US tour.
Harry Maguire's long -lasting long passes for Patrick Dorgu in the defeat of Tottenham in Bilbao would probably expect a confident midfielder to play more confident under pressure. A player can back down, burden the responsibility of deploying the ball for Amorim's trio of defenders will be the ideal pressure exhaust valve when the battle is tense. If that person can dribble at a short distance, it is even better.
And these are names that can be suitable for MU.
New Premier League Star: Carlos BaleBa
Brighton recruited Carlos BaleBa in August 2023 to replace Moises Caicedo. Two seasons later, he became one of the most prominent midfielders in the Premier League.
Some highlights about BaleBa:
- He is a quality head defense player, often present in the middle of the field to dispute and cut the ball before the opponent completely controls.
- Not only good at dispute when pressing, BaleBa is also very effective when backing back to the defense. Every time Brighton lost the ball and needed to restrain the defensive structure, he was often the leader of the recovery effort.
- When there is a ball, BaleBa plays simple, focusing on keeping the ball more than the breakthrough passes. Even so, he still likes to pass wings, expressed through the high 'Launched Passes' index.
- The attacks of the 21 -year -old star are not the strongest point but are useful for Brighton.
BaleBa is a central midfielder that has been verified by the Premier League that many clubs crave.
A option from Ligue 1: Lamine Camara
Declan Rice used to experience Lamine Camara's talent in the 1-3 defeat of England against Senegal at City Ground. At the age of 21, Camara is the brightest star of that match, constantly blocking the passes and not for the midfielder to play football easily. He plays for Monaco season 2024/25 and will most likely move the club in the near future.
The highlights of Camara:
- Camara is extremely effective in defense, often guessing the pass before it happens. However, his gameplay is sometimes a bit risky, suitable for teams who want to maintain continuous pressure.
- He was also strong when backing down the defense, capable of correcting after failures when pressing.
- Camara's ball congestion skills still need to be completed (the success rate is only 63). He does not have a “standard” ball style like Casemiro, this can be improved over time.
- Camara passes quite well, especially in status situations. Unlike many other defensive midfielders, when he won the ball, he did not pass horizontally but raised his head to find the spearhead being moving.
A choice from Championship: Hayden Hackney
Middlesbrough's 22 -year -old midfielder seemed to be ready to step up the Premier League.
The most attractive point of Hackney?
- The way he passed the ball. The cross-route passes, bringing the ball into the penalty area after turning around in the Half-Space corridor, showing that he is a “Regista” that Michael Carrick Trui carefully forged.
- When there is no ball, Hackney has great capabilities. He is a “almighty” player but also understands the need for sophistication and control.
What if Sir Jim Ratcliffe won poison?
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton is a premium talent. It is difficult for Oliver Glasner and the Palace leadership to sell England for less than 75 million pounds.
Wharton possesses observations, intelligence and the ability to pass the ball. At the age of 21, he knew when he needed to launch a long pass across the yard and when he needed to brake the beat to adjust the game. Perhaps, Wharton is the closest to the modern Carrick model in the Premier League.
Stuttgart's Angelo Stiller is also progressing strongly. Stuttgart ranked 9th Bundesliga last season, but Stiller was talented enough to be expected to play a team for a Champions League team in 2025/26.
More economical options
A certain Premier League Club will sooner or later recruit Sevilla's Lucien AgueMe, with Arsenal, bringing the 23 -year -old midfielder into sights.
Agoume is a powerful defensive midfielder. Leganes's Oscar Rodriguez was a victim in such a dispute in May, when he was hit by the ball by the drastic ball from Agoume.
Once close, it is difficult to compete with Agoume. However, his deep defensive skills still need to improve (last season in La Liga he received 5 yellow and 1 red cards).
In return, Agoume is very good at breaking the opponent. Look at a 60m long pass for Dodi Lukebakio – a technical processing phase. Agoume is even compared to many other excellent French midfielders.
Agoume is a midfielder that can both rob the ball fiercely and can pass and dribble. If MU wants him, they will have to compete with Arsenal.
