With the imminent departures of at least 5 high-earners at Old Trafford – 4 of which operating in midfield – new manager Erik ten Hag will have a hole to fill and, crucially, money to spend.  This midfield gap has been the thorn in the side of every United manager since Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes hung up their boots in 2018 and 2013 respectively.

United’s hierarchy have made a nasty habit over the post-Ferguson era of purchasing ready-made stars and scratching their collective heads when these players flop – enter Angel di Maria, Alexis Sanchez, Radamel Falcao, even Juan Mata to an extent.

The fans at Old Trafford are becoming disillusioned with this model. The stars don’t inspire anymore, they frustrate. Instead, the fans crave young, exciting talent that the club can nurture and whose stock can rise at United, not elsewhere. Coming up are some reasonably priced, exciting, young players that fill the impending chasm left by Pogba, Matic, Mata and Lingard – one that is becoming increasingly too large for Scott McTominay and Fred.

Midfield Option 1 – Xaver Schlager

Schlager has proven to be a firm fan-favourite everywhere the 24-year-old Austrian has played. Beginning his career in his native Austria, he helped RB Salzburg to 4 league titles, earning his first international cap at age 20 and going on to get another 25. This kind of early exposure to success has not gone to his head. He is an engine in the centre of midfield, who throughout his 3 seasons at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, has started to hone the art of right-place-right-time. This knack is in short supply at MUFC, and would see him slot nicely into a midfield 2 or 3, alongside more creative, but less positionally-aware players.

While at RB Salzburg, a man-of-the-match performance against Dortmund in the Europa League in 2018 turned several European clubs’ heads. It was Wolfsburg who plumped for the then 21-year-old in 2019. The following season, Schlager helped his team to a respectable 4^th-place finish, excelling at the heart of an industrious midfield.

A nasty cruciate rupture vs. Greuther Furth derailed his 2021/22 in the 4th match of the season. Wolfsburg had won all their previous 3 and topped the Bundesliga at the time. In his absence, Wolfsburg lacked Schlager’s leadership and aggression in midfield. Wolfsburg fans were glad to see his return after a remarkably fast recovery of around 6 months. Comparable injuries often take north of a year to recover from. They were also relieved that Schlager had lost neither his off-the-ball energy, nor his impressive ball moving skills.

Strengths:

Midfield Option 2 – Ismaël Bennacer

Algeria’s second brightest player, behind crosstown rival Riyad Mahrez, Manchester United could snatch up a potentially world-class midfielder in Bennacer. Debuting for French side AC Arlesian weeks after turning 18, he was picked up by Arsenal. After a lukewarm loan spell back in France and having never made a senior appearance for The Gunners, he left for Italy, firstly to Empoli, then giants AC Milan. He has since cemented his place as one of football’s brightest young midfielders. The 24-year-old’s release clause stands around the £42 million mark. For context, Fred was bought for around £50 million at a similar age.

Used this season as a defensive midfielder, Ismaël Bennacer has seen his AC Milan side jostle for the eternally elusive Scudetto with bitter neighbours Inter all season. Ask any Milan fan, and they’ll say Bennacer, alongside Tomori and Kalulu, is their most important player.

In this more defensive role, he’s been able to showcase just how much he enjoys being busy. He hounds opposition players when out of possession, meaning he suits the pressing brand of football that ten Hag will demand. When possession is his, he is direct, creative, ambitious and, again, wants to be involved. His low centre-of-gravity means he is an excellent carrier. His vision allows for a wide range of passing options from midfield.

Strengths:

• All-round midfielder with great talent and superb potential
• Brave and aggressive in the press
• Intelligent on the ball
• Works well across multiple roles in midfield
• Speaks good English

Midfield Option 3 – Santiago Ascacíbar

A half-back/defensive midfield/anchor hybrid, Ascacíbar has been lauded as the next Javier Mascherano, owing not only to his Argentinian heritage – the 25-year-old has a mural of Maradona tattooed on his favoured right foot – but to his positional intelligence and hard, clean tackling. The Hertha Berlin #18 sits in front of the backline, reads the game ahead of him, and makes quick decisions off-the-ball when danger presents itself. His short, sturdy frame means he covers ground quickly and bullies opposition creators away from danger. His sliding tackling is exemplary.

Although the least technically gifted of the three players on the list, his speciality is arguably the most in-demand at United. An out-and-out holding midfielder who will aid both his more advanced teammates and the back four behind him. With a player like Ascacíbar in the team, forward-thinking players like Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho will have more license to roam, exploit and shine. In recent years, United’s midfield has not been providing the type of insurance that Ascacíbar offers. Hertha could let him go for around £20million, which represents excellent value for the Argentine.

Strengths:

• Holding midfielder who specialises in cutting out danger
• Excellent standing and sliding tackle
• Allows creative players more freedom to roam out of position
• Incredibly fit – no issues with injuries – could play 50+ games a season