A look at five creative midfielders to fill the Old Trafford void left by the retiring Paul Scholes.
A midfielder has to be a priority for Manchester United this summer, as new manager David Moyes will immediately be tasked with finding a long-term replacement for the legendary Paul Scholes, who confirmed his retirement from the game along with Sir Alex Ferguson. Although Scholes has retired once before and come back, it looks like a permanent decision this time, as the 38-year-old has seen his influence on the team wane this season, making only 16 league appearances with just one goal and one assist to show for his efforts.
Scholes spent his entire career at Old Trafford, which spanned twenty seasons, and has always shown himself to be a quality attacking midfielder, weighing in with goals and assists from the middle of the park. As one of United’s best ever players, he won’t be easy to replace, but there are a few big names that the club have been linked with that Moyes could be tempted by.
None will come cheap, but the new boss will surely be backed with reasonable funds by his board as he takes on this difficult job, and despite additions also being needed in other areas of the pitch, a midfielder of this kind will surely be a priority. Michael Carrick has had a good season, but is in need of a more attack-minded partner, as the likes of Anderson and Tom Cleverley have not really looked like living up to their potential in that role.
Kevin Strootman (PSV Eindhoven)
A top target for David Moyes and Manchester United is thought to be PSV youngster Kevin Strootman. United were strongly linked with him a few months ago and have reportedly sent scouts to watch him as he represents the Netherlands in this summer’s Under-21 European Championships in Israel. Like many Dutch players, Strootman posseses great technique and is very much in the Paul Scholes mould of playing a creative role in midfield, as well as breaking forward to score goals himself. Although currently eligible for the Under-21 side, he is also a full Dutch international with 18 caps and one goal for his country, and is being tipped for big things in the game.
The player himself has not commented on United’s interest, but PSV seem ready to sell him for the right price. The Eredivisie club are thought to be asking for around £17million for their prized asset, and United are hoping to lower that to closer to £10million. Still, with rivals Manchester City and Chelsea set to spend big this summer, the Premier League champions will need to be ready to fork out for big players if they want to keep up with their rivals and retain their title. Strootman looks like he would be well worth the money in the long run, standing out among other exciting young talents coming through in the Dutch league, such as Christian Eriksen, Marco van Ginkel and Adam Maher, all of whom have also been linked with moves to the Premier League at some point.
Thiago Alcantara (Barcelona)
Another top target for David Moyes is said to be Barcelona youngster Thiago Alcantara. Supposedly, the United boss would be willing to pay £15million to land the talented Spaniard, even though he has not exactly been a regular in the Barcelona team over the last few years. In fairness, it can’t be easy for young players coming through at the Nou Camp when the likes of world class playmakers Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas are all ahead of you, and Alcantara has done well to get a look-in at all. The 22-year-old managed 3 goals and 6 assists in limited appearances this season, and Barca are known to be keen to keep him around as a long-term replacement for Xavi in the future.
Still, with the likes of United hovering (as well as Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City), it may be hard for the midfielder to turn down a move where he would be offered more regular first-team football. He certainly has everything in his locker to replace Scholes and add some much-needed quality service from the middle of the park. His desire to play more often could give United an edge in luring him away, as they have supposedly already failed in a bid to land his team-mate Fabregas, who says he is happy at the Nou Camp despite also struggling to establish himself as a regular.
Isco (Malaga)
Although United’s local rivals Manchester City are currently leading the chase for Malaga starlet Isco, the Red Devils have been linked with him before, and would certainly be wise to compete for this exceptionally gifted youngster. The 21-year-old is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young players in the world, scoring 13 goals and providing 4 assists for Malaga this season, and continuing to impress for Spain at the Under-21 European Championships.
Chelsea, PSG and Real Madrid are also keen on Isco, but United’s need for a player of this quality is arguably greater, and he would surely become one of the best players in the world in the Scholes role at Old Trafford. He is certainly one of the most expensive options out there, valued at around £28million, and that may give City the edge in signing him. Another thing going in their favour is that they look likely to appoint Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini as their replacement for Roberto Mancini, and Isco is said to be keen on following the Chilean to the Etihad Stadium, a move which City would very much approve of as well, of course.
It will be a challenge to sign him, but if they manage it they will have their midfield sorted for the next decade or more, and they will be beating several of their rivals to a world class talent while they’re at it. What better marquee signing could there be for Moyes to quickly win over the United fans?
Marouane Fellaini (Everton)
With Moyes leaving behind some talented players at Everton, it’s no surprise to them being linked with following him to Manchester United. Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka are said to be among his targets, but none would be more exciting than Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who has just had an excellent season for the Toffees.
The 25-year-old scored 12 goals and provided 5 assists in a more advanced role this season, having initially been a quite defensive-minded midfield player. This transformation under Moyes has worked wonders, and though he is not exactly a skillful, creative type like Scholes or the other players mentioned in this list, his physical presence upfront and the positions he takes up just behind the main forward make him a real handful for defenders, as he uses his aerial presence to either score headers or provide assists from flick-ons. He tortured United on the opening day of the season when he scored the winner in Everton’s 1-0 victory at Goodison Park and many pointed out that day that he was just the kind of player United needed to be signing.
With Scholes now retiring, this could be the ideal time to move for Fellaini, who would no doubt relish the chance to move to a bigger club and carry on working under his mentor Moyes. Arsenal and Chelsea are also said to be interested in the player, and his minimum release fee clause of around £22million will surely mean he has plenty of offers this summer, but a move to the champions would surely be the most tempting, and Moyes will surely do his best to continue working with his former star player. He is another expensive option, but in truth United will struggle to find better players for that kind of price, and he has the added bonus of Premier League experience, unlike many of their other realistic targets.
Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)
One rumour that won’t go away is that United are serious about signing Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who has been labelled ‘the Italian Scholes’. The 27-year-old is obviously a less long-term option than some of the other names on this list, but his qualities to succeed the United legend are there for all to see, and his experience of winning titles may also be an appealing factor for Moyes as he looks to keep the tradition of winning at Old Trafford as they did so much under Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Italian international has been with Juventus for his whole career, and may be tempted to move on now after much success with the club in the last two seasons, playing a key part in his side’s consecutive Serie A triumphs. Marchisio managed 8 goals and 4 assists for Antonio Conte’s side this season, and throughout his career has shown himself to be a consistent source of goals and creativity from midfield. Big-spending Monaco are also said to be interested, which will no doubt inflate his transfer fee, but United have been said to be willing to pay around £30million to sign him, and are also considering offering players in return, such as Nani and Javier Hernandez, who have both emerged as targets for the Italian champions.
United have also been looking at Marchisio’s Juve team-mate Arturo Vidal, though he has committed his future to the club, leaving Marchisio as the main target. The likes of Benfica’s Nemanja Matic, Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and even Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere would also be good options who have shown up here and there as rumoured targets, and we won’t know for sure who Moyes settles for until a deal is done, but United fans need not fear, as there are plenty of players out there who can help ease the loss of the legendary Scholes.