The Big Midfield Conundrum

by @CheGiaevara


Remember our 98/99 midfield containing four world-class midfielders named Beckham, Keane, Scholes and Giggs? Those days seem long gone, and many supporters are craving a quality midfielder to enter Old Trafford, as such world-class - especially in the centre of the pitch - is missing at the moment. The chorus is apparently that Fletcher isn't creative enough, Carrick isn't offensive-minded enough, Giggs isn't young enough, Gibson isn't good enough and Anderson isn't consistent enough. Additionally it's too early to demand too much from Tom Cleverley. Now, The Prawn-Sandwich Brigade gives you a "who's who" of potential midfielders who could elevate the current level of out central midfield.

We're ten games into the season and we've seen little improvementon in the heart of midfield from last season. A department that screamed for improvement, we've seen our midfield being tramped time and time again. United can gloat about, perhaps, the strongest first eleven in the Premier League, but with an Achilles' heel as visible as the moon at night, United will have to act. Therefore, we've made a list of candidates. Who can improve us? How can he improve us? We've decided to name four different categories where we'll find five different players, all capable of doing a job for United;

The All-Arounders


"The All-Arounders" consists of players capable of doing a job on the offensive, as well as defensive end on the pitch for United. They are players with icredible workrate, high tempo in their game and will to win. With abillities such as passing, shooting, tackling, marking, they all stand out in there own little way. Some more than others, but they all have that one thing in common; they can, and will, contribute at both ends. Many have pointed out that this type of player is ideal for a United-side in need off improvement on both ends of the pitch. With flair, power, creativity and ruthlessness; we give you "The All-Arounders":


1. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Bayern Munich
As German football have reached a generational change, so has the responsibillity of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Known as one of the most promising young players in the world for the better part of the 2000's, "Schweini" has stepped up to the plate and showed the world that he's a force to be taken into account.

Pros:
The strengths and abillities of Schweinsteiger are limitless. A solid worker on both the offensive and defensive end of the pitch, with a winning mentaltity unique for a player born and raised into the Bayern Munich-system. Not only is he a powerful and tough player, but he's also a master with the ball. He can shoot, he can pass, he can cross, he can score from set pieces and he's not bad of a header neither. If you look for a player who has the complete package, you can look no further than Schweinsteiger. Many have labelled him as the "answer to all of United's prayers" if he were to step in the doors at Old Trafford, and they may be right. For a midfield that lacks both flair, agillity and power, Schweinsteiger will be happy to produce all of that, and then some. In terms of experience, there may not be anyone as qualified as Schweinsteiger. Having played in one Champions League-final, won two World Cup bronze medals, and a European silver medal, he's no stranger to the big match action. As mentioned, Schweinsteiger's winning mentality and hunger for success is what drives him on both for Bayern and the German national team, and makes him, perhaps, the perfect player for a club that thrives itself on it's winning mentality and "never say die"-attitude.
In terms of his willigness to enter the stage at Old Trafford, Schweinsteiger has commented that he would be interested in moving to England. United-fans can also smile about having someone working on the "inside" for a transfer for the German international; Schweinsteiger's brother is a massive red and has, according to Bastian, nagged his brother to death about him moving to the red part of Manchester.


Cons:
In terms of abillity, you can't really find anything particular to point out about Schweinsteiger. You could question his form dipping in and out, but every player faces that at some stage in their career. However, Schweinsteiger signed a new five-year-deal with Bayern Munich last summer, effectively ending speculations about him moving elsewhere. A transfer fee would hit close to the £50m-range and for man who has reached age 27, United will not be willing to pay that much. For the United-fans who hold Schweinsteiger dear to their heart, there's all about faith. And as the old saying goes; "faith can move mountains."



2. Arturo Vidal, Juventus
Arguably the biggest "breakout star" of German football last season, the Chilean dynamo took the world by storm. Known for his power and hard-tackling style, Vidal quickly climbed up the wishing lists of many big clubs around Europe last summer. He ended up at Juventus, and has been inspirational for "The Old Lady" in her quest to regain the throne in Italy.


Pros:
For a player that takes so well care of his apparance, it's quite surprising how rough and edgy his style of play is. Not afraid to stick his feet in where it hurts the most, and giving everything he's got for the team are alfa and omega for Arturo Vidal. A player blessed with passing range, a powerful shot and the abillity to carry a midfield on his own, he terrorized the central part of the pitch for the larger part of the 2010/2011 season. His abillity to get up and down the pitch is second to none. He can part-take in an attack and suddenly be the man who stops the other team countering at the other end. Safe to say, his game comes with high tempo and plenty of pace, even those this may not be the focal point of his bag of tricks. As mentioned, he has a fantastic passing rage as well, a great header of the ball and, perhaps suprising, a penalty specialist.
As if that wasn't enough, you may not find a more dimensional player than Vidal. Having played as a central midfielder, a defensive midfielder, a winger, a central defender and right/left back, he's basically a player you could stick anywhere and he would give you a great game. An abillity treassured by most managers, especially Sir Alex Ferguson.


Cons:
Vidal's biggest flaw, thus far, is his concentration. He manages to stay very focused for the larger part of the game, but there is that moment when he just loses concentration and commits a stupid foul or gives the ball away in dangerous areas. He's often good enough to straighten out his own mistake, but it's a part of his game that needs to be fixed if he's ever going to have a chance at a club like United. Despite showing blistering tempo at Bayer Leverkusen, as well as Juventus, you still have to raise a few questions about whether he could handle the tempo. power and hustle of the Premier League. Plenty of players have come with a great reputation to England, only to be disgraced and put back in their place. Vidal, to me, is unlikely to become another Kleberson or Verón, but you still have to raise the question.
The biggest con, however, is the fact that he signed for Juventus just last summer. A transfer fee will be pretty huge, as he's now at a much bigger club than Leverkusen, and with a lengthy contract, there may be little chance of him ever joining Manchester United.


3. Claudio Marchisio, Juventus
By many labelled as "The Italian Steven Gerrard", Claudio Marchisio has truly put his mark on the Juventus-setup. Perhaps not the brightest talent of the bunch, he has managed to mould himself into one of the most dynamic players in the Italian Serie A.


Pros:
Much like the player he's been compared to, Marchisio is a great handler of the ball. With an ever-growing passing range, drive in his game, the abillity to score when the team needs in the most and force in defence and offence, he's grown into a force to be taken into account. Perhaps not the flashiest of players, Marchisio is often the unsong hero for Juventus. Tireless running, death-defying tackles and true passion for the game are just some of the aspects that make Marchisio eligble for a spot in the first team setup of Manchester United. He has also broken into the international team the past years, delivering good performances for "Il Azzuri". Slotted in as a box-to-box midfielder with creative range in Antonio Conte's "new" Juventus, Marchisio is clicking on all cylinders. Still just 25 years of age, Marchisio heads into the prime of his career and things are looking up for "Il Principino". A man known for consistensy, and hardworking ethics, he could be just the man to turn things around in the middle of the park for United.
Reportedly, already scouted heavily by Sir Alex Ferguson's men, there's actually a glimmer of hope of a transfer happening.


Cons:
Even though he's known for being consistent and hard-working, there has always been something that has lacked in Marchisio's game. There's no real x-factor to him. The biggest difference between him and Steven Gerrard may just be the fact that the scouseman's game has much more pedigree to it. Gerrard's style of play is more crisp, more solid. Marchisio comes off as more soft and not as solid as one would want from him. Sure, he's a solid player, but there are no killer daggers from long range, no beautiful passes and no blistering free kicks. In other words, there's nothing too spectacular about him. Nothing that truly makes him stand out. And for a Manchester United-midfield in desperate need of inspiration and a leader, Marchisio may find himself with more questions than answers should he ever come to Old Trafford.
Besides, he's a Juventus-boy through and through. Born and raised in Turin, I, for one, would have big problems seeing him leave Italy any time soon. There have been discussions about his contract situation, but I believe in the old saying that goes "love trumps everything. And one thing is for certain; Marchisio loves Juventus.


4. Éver Banega, Valencia
When Fernando Gago left Boca Juniors for Real Madrid, the Boca-fans thought they'd lost all hope. Then came Éver Banega. A smooth midfield genius who's not afraid to rumble with the biggest and baddest, and is no stranger to the term "passmaster". Perhaps the most "suave" player of the list, Banega gives "flair" another meaning.


Pros:
Not often do you find a player who's defensive attributes are as good as his offensive. That's where Éver Banega comes into play. Maybe not the biggest of the bunch, he may be the one with the most courage. He's known for picking the locks of defences, as well as being part of the lock itself on the other end. Tiredless efforts has become his trademark. One of the players who always shows up for the big games, it's quite astonishing that none of the big teams around Europe have recruited him within their ranks yet. In my estimation, Banega is amonst the cream of the crop when it comes to versitile midfielders. A player able of doing most things on the pitch, he also cares a bit of "flash". Exciting dribbles, being able to play his way out of small spaces and make it all look good as well is just a small dose of what Banega is all about. He may have been but in the shadow of "the holy trinity" consisting of David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata, but with them all leaving the club, the stage has been sett for Éver.
In terms of United, there has been no real interest shown. To me, it's absolutely amazing that he's still at Valencia with all the abillity and skill he has in him. A true diamond in the rough who could really set Old Trafford a-light. Just 23 years of age, he could quickly become a star if given the spotlight and the stage at The Theater of Dreams.


Cons:
Even though he's been one of the more consistent players for Valencia the past two seasons, Banega does have the tendency to disappear a little in matches. He needs the ball in order to really make himself useful to the team. In other words; either he gets things going two ways, or it goes no way. Banega is a player that thrives on being main man, and therefore would need plenty of encouragement with the ball at his feet. A player that would suit a Manchester United-midfield perfectly. He also lacks tactical smartness at times. he gets caught out getting too high upfield and, as he's not the fastest player on the pitch, he does not reach back in time to stop counters or defends his area. Certainly something he would need to improve, but with his tender age, he'd surely discover that abillity in time as he gets more and more routine into his style of play.


5. Jack Rodwell, Everton
The youngest one of the bunch, and perhaps the most surprising, is Jack Rodwell. After a disappointing last season, he's back to his best, enforcing Everton's midfield, as well as proving himself useful in attack. True promise for the future. But will his future be red?


Pros:
When Rodwell broke through the Everton youth ranks, he was already destined for greatness. His physique, his power, his drive and his abillity to cover such a large part of the pitch were just the cherry on the sundae. The truth is that Rodwell has developed into a player whos passing has improved, he's got a great shot on him and he's an enforcer. Out of the other four, Rodwell is a typical "bully". He likes to boss around the mifield and make the opposing midfield submit to his never-ending engine. After a serious injury that saw him miss most of last season, he has returned with more pedigree in him than ever. Looking sharp and impsoing, he's become a figure of dominance for the Toffees this season. Once on Manchester United's radar, Rodwell is fighting a winning battle in re-kindling that interest.
Last summer, United were, according to reports, offered Rodwell at a much cheaper price than what he would normally go for. The price reflecting upon Everton's financial situation and, perhaps, Rodwell being injury prone. Safe to say, United are still keeping an eye on the man who has captained England's U-21 side on more than one occasion.


Cons:
Still at the young age of 20, Rodwell still needs to learn the ropes of the English top-flight. He's an imposing and powerful figure, but his game still has some hard edges that needs to be smoothed out. His passing rage is one, for example. He's got an all right passing foot, but for a guy as ambitious as he tends to be, he needs to adress his abillity to send long balls across the pitch. As mentioned, he's still young which reflects on his game as he has a habit of running out of position too often, tackles with way too much malice and in general needs to get a better understanding of the game. He's no doubt a disciplined player, but it's quite easy to see that he has a long way to go in order to establish himself as one of the best central midfielders that England has to offer.
In terms of Rodwell coming to Old Trafford, there may be a chance. The big obstacle would have to be if United are willing to take the risk of signing another, seemingly, injury-prone player after the disaster known as Owen Hargreaves left. The fact that Rodwell signed a new long-term deal in 2009 would also indicate that Everton won't let him go on a cheap now that he's started to perform again.

Even though The All-Arounders would be the most ideal players for most midfields, there are still a fair portion of fans that think that United's problems are on the offensive front. A place where there has been no creativity since Scholes' glory days and when Juan Sebastian Veron had free range in the middle of the pitch. There's no goal threat from midfield. Absolutely no touch of class and no real standout player. That's the mindset of a large number of United-fans and therefore we've decided to include five players who would open up any defensive with just one pass. Five players who can do it all by themselves. Five to amaze you and five to lead a midfield by their example. Not neccesarily the greatest at tracking back, but is that really a big problem when they can provide so much going forward? These are The Maestros


The Maestros



1. Wesley Sneijder, Internazionale
Who else? It has lasted two summers. Two summers of drama and grief over not having signed perhaps the most infuential midfielder in the world during 2010. Sneijder is second to none when it comes to handling the ball. Inch-perfect passing, free kicks, crosses, scoring. The man has all the qualities you need for an offensive central midfield player. Beside, he's also a leader among men.


Pros:
As mentioned in his little intro; Sneijder has absolutely everything you want in a offensive central midfielder. His wisdom and creativity is longed for by the Manchester United midfield. A player driven by success, it's quite easy to see that it physically hurts him when a loss hits him. Crying after the World Cup Final, refusing to accept a runners' up medal at the latest Italian Supercup. All signs of Sneijder's passion for the game and his will to win. A claimed Manchester United fan, he knows what is expected of him if he were to enter the doors at Old Trafford. I don't believe he's another Paul Scholes, not even by a long shot, but in today's game there are very few players who resemble Scholes' drive. Sneijder may just be the second best thing to a Scholes.
I believe Sneijder would be willing to come if the terms were there for him to come. The question does remain how much of those terms we can agree on. Is Sneijder needed? In offense, yes. Does he know that he'd needed? You can take that to the bank. As will Sneijder.


Cons:
I believe this summer may prove have been Sneijder's last chance at coming to the red side of Manchester. At the age of 27 you'd have to question a £40m++ bid for a man who has just reached his peak. Having already burned himself with the £30m-man Dimitar Berbatov, I fail to see Fergie wanting the Dutchman that bad. Besides the transfer fee there's his salary. The asonine amount of money that he demands being paid to him every week makes Wayne Rooney's charade last autumn seem like peanuts. He's not getting younger, we won't get to sell him on and he's practically refusing to track back. He's a winner and he's a fabulous player, but I don't think he's exactly what United are looking for.
I can't see this transfer ever happening because of the money involved here. If Sneijder was three-four years younger I'd be into it. For the life of me, I can't understand why United didn't pursue him when Real Madrid sold him for next to nothing (if you consider the man's talents) during the summer of 2009. Too much money, too old and does not address all of our problems. Sneijder is a no-go for me.



2. Ganso (Paulo Henrique Chagas de Lima), Santos
By many labeled as "The Brazilian Zidane" is the man simply known as Ganso. A smooth-playing Brazilian with some pedigree to him. Not afraid of penetrating the box, he's still an elegant player who enjoys making all of his passes and plays look good. A sight for sore eyes, but is it just too much flash?


Pros:
As mentioned, United need a playmaker. Someone who makes things happen. Ganso always makes things happen. If he clears a man or two or opens up the pitch with a pass, he's always the center of attention while on the pitch. Perhaps outshined by his teammate Neymar at times, Ganso is still the brain behind the Santos attack and is often the reason why the Brazilian prodigy ahead of him gets all the goals that he does. Not only is he a great passer, but he comes with a heavy set of tricks as well. Very slick with the ball and with a great shot on him. He's also a great understander of the came. Great at positioning himself in order for his teammates to always be able to rely on his abillties. No stress is the name of the game. Perhaps that's what United need? A smooth Brazilian who's touch is divine? Perhaps not as driven as Anderson, Ganso is still more skillful and understanding on the pitch than United's favorite Brazilian.
A transfer does not seem impossible even though Ganso has claimed that leaving his native Brazil before after the World Cup in 2014 is out of the question. It has been reported that Sir Alex is keeping tabs on the young man.


Cons:
The biggest Achilles' Heel for Ganso is definently speed. Not blessed with too much pace nor with a high-tempo machinery, he will need to asses the European style of playing before arriving. England is known for its high-paced, no-nonsense, smashmouth style, something of which does not suit the current style of Ganso. He's great at keeping the ball and staying on his feet with it, but will he even be able to see much of the ball if his tempo is not enhanced? He's no defender, but he does track back and defends. So does Anderson. But if there's something about Anderson that people are not impressed with it, then it's his defending. The same can be said about Ganso. Then again, unlike Anderson, defending is not really his job at either Santos or when playing for the Brazilian national team.
I can see the transfer happening, but I don't see the reason as to why we should get Ganso. He's in high demand, even though I can't see the price being too much more than £30m in today's market. It all depends on how he performs at the World Cup if he stays at Santos for as long as he says he will. Speaking of the World Cup, this is the main problem, we need someone now. Not in 2014. I commend Ganso for staying at Santos, but he's not to our help if he decides to stay there for the time being.



3. Nicolas Gaitan, Benfica
None of the big teams picked him up on their radar as he eased his way into the Estadio da Luz last summer. Not only did he replace Angel Di María, he also made the Benfica faithful forget about the man who went left Portugal for Spain that summer. Can operate both as a winger and as a central midfielder, something which will give Fergie plenty of versatillity.


Pros:
This is a personal assesment, but I believe Gaitan thrives on people not believing in him. He proved doubters wrong at Boca, did it again at Benfica and has now gained an admirer in Sir Alex Ferguson (he did have an interest while at Boca too, to be fair). Not only is Gaitain a trickster who can create something out of nothing, he's also a hard worker. Out of the offensive players we're mentioning in this category I believe him to be the hardest working of them all. As mentioned, he can play both in the center and on the wing and with the drive and creativity in him, he would contribute not only forward, but also on the other end. He has shown the way for Benfica this season and picked up the "Man of the Match" in the Champions League encounter against the English champions last time around. Having bullied United's defense for most of the match, one may wonder what can stop Nicolas Gaitan. It seems that the sky is his limit.
This is a transfer I quickly can see happen. Gaitan is an interesting player who knows he's been tracked for a long time. He enjoys challenges and what bigger challenge could he ever recieve than coming to Old Trafford. He, himself, has claimed that he's loving life in Portugal, but one is left to wonder how easy it is to turn down the bright lights at the Theater of Dreams.


Cons:
I believe the biggest con about Gaitan is his lack of "it". Yes, he's a good player, but there's just nothing that really stands out. He's a trickster, he's a good passer, he has a shot on him. He's a good player, but there's nothing that really amazes you about Gaitan's style of play, I believe. He's also very relient on his trusted left leg. Perhaps not as one-leged as one Antonio Valencia, it does limit him to some degree. He's able to use his right, but prefers not to. He's also a very small player in stature. Even though the myth about small players not lasting in the Premier League is quickly dying away it's still a concern. Can he take the physical difference, is he mentally ready for such a huge club? I think the remainer of the season will be crucial if Gaitan wishes to move to England, especially if he wants to move to Manchester.
Gaitan did, however, sign a new contract with Benfica a few weeks ago. He does say he's happy in Portugal, even though rumour has it that Benfica got the contract re-written so they can hold out for his new buyout clause which is a staggering €40m. If that is the price, then I believe we can for-Gait about Nicolas.


4. Luka Modric, Tottenham
The little Croatian has quickly claimed his place as one of the best central midfielders in the world. Still with Tottenham, he still shows why most clubs would love to acquire his services. Blessed with an amazing touch, a fantastic engine, incredible passing range and fantastic movement around the pitch, he is what many considers the modern day playmaker. "The Croatian Sensation" would fit like a glove at Old Trafford.


Pros:
I will go out on a limb here and say that out of all the players we have here on our list, I believe that Luka Modric would be the most fitting player. He's a more realistic target in the sense that we can buy him off Tottenham and he'd want to come. Modric has, as mentioned, a fantastic arsenal of passes. Tremendous with the ball at his feet, he makes the Tottenham attack work with his movement, hunger for the ball and incredible smartness. He loves to pop up all around the pitch and make plays happen. He does things simple and neat, but is known to do something extravagant during matches as well. Basically; he's the total package. He evn tracks back! The only reason we include him on this list is because his qualities offensively outshines what he does in defence. Don't get me wrong, Modric can defend, but his passion and talent truly shows itself when he has the ball in his feet and he can do whatever he wants with it. A player hungry for titles and hungry for success, he may very well leave White Hart Lane in the near future. And if the calls from Old Trafford would reach the Croatian, one might wonder if he'd jump on his broomstick and make Old Trafford his own stage of magic.
The possibillites of getting Modric are there. Perhaps slim, but they are there. The price would be astronomical. Chelsea, basically, insulted Tottenham with a bid in the region £20m which is just a testament to how much Modric is worth. If United could establish a deal worth around the £50m-mark, I believe both parties would be satisfied. And he'd be worth the money too!


Cons:
Is there really any big flaws to Modric? He goes missing in some games when he seems uninspired, which doesn't happen too often. You could always argue for his stamina being a problem as he's not able to maintain his extreme level through 90 minutes all the time. However, with the pace and the tempo that Modric plays at, it would almost be super-human if he managed to keep that going for 90 minutes. He has never played for one of the biggest clubs in the world, however. Last time United bought one of Spurs real superstars it ended with a huge transfer which ultmately has seen the player struggle to live up to the price that was paid for him. Perhaps that is the only thing that could stop Modric from performing his magic at Old Trafford?
The big con about this transfer is the fact that Modric himself wants to stay in London. He has said that his family loves life in London and would therefore prefer to stay. Keyword being "prefer". Not saying anything is impossible, but I do believe he'd pick Chelsea over us due to the fact that he wants to remain in London. The question now remains if he'd be willing to piss off the Yid Army in order to switch out lilywhite for blue in London.




5. Shinji Kagawa, Borussia Dortmund
He was a vital part of the Dortmund team that won the Bundesliga last season. The little man from the Land of the Rising Sun has quickly won the hearts of many Dortmund-fans with his blistering technique, skill and goalscoring abillities. Still at the tender age of 22, he has the world at his feet.


Pros:
Kagawa, more than anyone on this list, is a guarantee for goals. He loves to come high upfield and penetrate the area with his quick feet and can finish with both feet. Placed in a playmaker's position behind the striker, he's a pass-master and picks out passes like few others in Europe. He's a threat both himself and by leaving your player to stop him, he often makes the opposition pay. He has made me himself virtually impossible to play and is a true joy to watch when he gets in his stride. A great handler of the ball, he's the focal point of Dortmund's attack. "The brain", if you will. Along with his creativity and football intelligence, he could contribute with something different, yet inspiring for a Manchester United midfield in need of just that.
It has been reported that Manchester United have been watching Kagawa's development closely the last few years. Some have even gone as far as saying that Kagawa could be United's main transfer target next summer. It all remains to be seen, but it seems very plausible that a deal could be made for the Japansese international.


Cons:
Even though he's got plenty of tempo to his game, it's easy to forget that Kagawa only have a season in European. One that ended already in January when he broke his foot. Therfore you must say that he is unproven at the highest level. This is, more or less, his "coming out season", even though he did show what he is made of during last season. I do believe he'd have difficulties playing in a 4-4-2-formation as he's not known to be any good at defending. He is an offensive machne, but unproven when challenged in the middle of the park. He also has a tendency to disappear in matches and it's highly neccesary for him to involved in the game in order to warm up his engine. If he's not involved, his engine does not start. It's also important to mention the broken foot he suffered. It may come back to haunt him, it may not. After the signing of Owen Hargreaves I believe the Manchester United personnel are extra careful in who they allow to pass and not pass their medical tests.
Kagawa denied any links of him going to Manchester United last season. Perhaps in terms of being professional and loyal to Dortmund, he claimed he didn't really care about the interest shown from other clubs. I can't see this as a no-go because I believe there is an interest there from United and I believe Kagawa himself would be interested in coming to Old Trafford, if given the chance.

But there are many that don't identify United's offensive issues as the worst. On the contrary, the defence part of midfield is lacking. After being swiped away in the center of the pitch time and time last season, as well as a number of times already this season, a huge portion of United-fans have had enough. There's no leader, no one to walk the troops into battle, no one who lays their life on the line when attacked by the opposition. There is no drive-force and no one to inspire with their will to win and their abillity to go into battle without fear. I have used the expression bully in order to describe these players before. Someone who strikes fear into the opponent's heart when they see him on the teamsheet. Rugged, tough and with great defensive skills. They are are The Bullies.


The Bullies



1. Javi Martinez, Athletic Bilbao
The man from Bilbao has grown into a giant of a player the last few seasons. A leader amongst men, he led his Spain U-21 team to victory last summer from his position in center of the pitch for Spain. With awesome physical powers, leadership abillities and a "never say die"-attitude he's one of the players most United-fans would want to boss around their midfield.


Pros:
Martinez is known for his tremendous engine and his abillity to stop attacks by himself. One of the most discplined men in world football, he's not only a ball-winner, he's also an starter of attacks. He's composed, neat and tidy with the ball at his feet. Perhaps not the biggest of talkers on the pitch, Martinez has won his admireres through leading by example. He stands 190cm tall and is as imposing as the next man. The times I've watched him I've gotten the feeling that Martinez loves to make himself seem as superhuman as possible. By intimidating players early on he destroys their self-belief and quickly marks his territory. Not only is Martinez imposing in defence, but he's a great header of the ball too. He may not be a prolific goalscorer, but he is a serious threat on set pieces when he enters the box. A freak of nature, Javi Martinez is certainly one to keep an eye on.
Martinez himself has said that he's flattered by the interest shown by Manchester United. That's usually how it starts. There have been several reports that United have sent scouts to watch him play and the reports have been good. Manchester City is, though, the only club to have enquired about him, so if United want him, they need to act quick in order to not play "catch up" with their noisy neighbours.


Cons:
There are no real weaknesses about Martinez in terms of the position he plays. His main problem may be that he tackles too roughly at times and gets sent off for silly challenges which should've been avoided. Other than that, it's hard to place anything on him in terms of weaknesses. He may have to get used to the level of the Champions League and the Premier League if he were to come to England, but that is something everyone should've already taken into account.
With Man City already lurking around I can see this turning very ugly very quickly. I do think United may have an edge over City in terms of appeal. Remember, David de Gea, another member of that U-21 team this summer, is placed between the sticks at Old Trafford. Perhaps the Spanish shotstopper could persuade his countryman into making, what we'd call, the right desicion?


2. Yann M'Vila, Rennes
French football has a new enforcer in their ranks. Yann M'Vila is by many considered the finest young talent in midfield that this world has to offer. Blessed with an incredible work rate and calmness, he balances out any team. And get this; his dream club resides in the Republic of Mancunia. And it ain't Man City.


Pros:
M'Vila's biggest pro is his endurance. It's not too often you find players who run their socks off from the first minute and end he match still running. He covers great amounts of spaces during matches and is a destructive force by himself. He's also a fighter. Perhaps not as rugged and death-defying as some may want him to, M'Vila have a tendency to rob the opponent of the ball with style. He makes it look easy at times. But Yann M'Vila is, perhaps, the last man you're gonna see backing out of a fight. He fears no one. What may set M'Vila above the rest, however is his passing abillities. He's known for doing things nice and easy, but has shown abillties in finding the open man in space, threading balls through defenders with the tiniest of spaces. Certainly an x-factor that M'Vila carries. Not only is he a bully, but he can also be a playmaker.
The prospects of getting M'Vila look small due to the heavy interest for him. Espeically from Arsenal who reportedly had a bid rejected during the summer. M'Vila have also been linked with Real Madrid. However, he answered those rumours by claiming that his ultimate destination would not be a the Bernabeu, but at Old Trafford. M'Vila's biggest dream as a footballer is to become a Manchester United-player. Certainly something that cannot be overlooked.


Cons:
In terms of M'Vila's biggest con I believe that he goes missing in some games. He is often involved, but if he faces a team that's not too happy attacking in the middle, he might go missing. M'Vila is one of those players who need to be active on the pitch in order to get himself going. The idea has often been to place M'Vila a bit higher up the field and have him stop the ball from ever getting out on the wings, thus making him active around the deep-lying midfielders. He's still young and learning and will get more routine by time. I believe he's a shoe-in for the European Championship next summer and will learn a whole lot from that experience.
As mentioned, there's already huge interest around M'Vila. I believe, if what he says is true, that he'd pick us over them. The question does remain, however, for him as for every other player that's linked with United; does money talk?




3. Javi Garcia, Benfica
The former Real Madrid-youngster is on a mission. A mission that's currently winning. Sold from the Spanish capital due to there not being room for him, he's currently proving doubters wrong at Benfica by winning plaudits left and right. Perhaps not the focal point of any attacks, Garcia makes sure those attacks even start as his performance sometimes resemble a mercenary. He's there to do a job, may it not look good, but he finishes it one way or another.



Pros:
A car may look pretty and neat, but it's the engine that makes it go smoothly. A Benfica-midfield spearheaded by the likes of Nicolas Gaitan, Pablo Aimar and Axel Witsel seems wonderful on the horizon, but it's the man behind them that makes it all run as smooth as it sounds. That man is Javi Garcia. A no-nonsense, rugged and tough midfielder who's not afraid to stick his foot in where it hurts the most. An excellent interceptor of play, he's known as one of the best in terms of stopping counter attacks and breaking down his opponents. He enjoys having the ball at his too, but tries to make things nice and easy. After all, he does have that troika of players ahead of him. Garcia is also known for being quite good in the air and carries a heavy shot which he showcases from time to time. His style of play does not look very nice, as mentioned, but he gets the job done. By hook or by crook, Javi Garcia is a reliable character eager to straighten up the impression Real Madrid left him with.
As far as signing for Manchester United, I believe there's an interest there. Javi Garcia tore down United's offense at the Estadio da Luz last time around and was a complete menace to the center of United's midfield. Unfortunantly, Benfica knows that Garcia is a wanted man and will demand big money for him. A team that sold David Luiz, Ramires and Angel Di Maria, all for £20m or more, will not let their Spanish midfield gem go without big money being paid for him.


Cons:
I believe Javi Garcia's biggest con is his tempo. He's by no means a fast player, but at times he seems a bit uncertain with the tempo played around him. This has been one of the points of his game that has been improved greatly since leaving Madrid, but there's still a long way to go if he ever wants to make it in England. There's also a huge question surrounding his level of focus. He's caught sometimes having positioned himself wrong or just uses too much time on the ball. All of these are small things that can easily be regulated, but they are all flaws that could prove costly while on the field of play.
As mentioned, Javi Garcia is a wanted man and I believe he could pick and choose from many of the bigger clubs around Europe. AC Milan is another club that has (reportedly) shown interest. I, myself, can see him coming in the doors at Old Trafford, but for the price that will be demanded he seems like a longshot.




4. Sven Bender, Borussia Dortmund
If there's one thing you can commend Germany for then it would have to be their development of players. A long, but lanky, character is Sven Bender, but with the discpline taught only by the Germans, he has quickly risen up the ranks within German football. As a young defensive midfielder, there are not too many players who show more maturity than this fella.


Pros:
If there's one thing manager Jürgen Klopp has taught his players, it's discplined and team effort. No other player shows more discpline and willingness to help his team than Sven Bender within the Borussia Dortmund ranks. He plays with fantastic maturity and with an awareness that many players could only dream off. He reads the play as if he were a veteran and thus makes up for other mayor cons in his game. He manages to disguise his flaws with using his maturity and his instinct for the game. That is not often you see. Besides that, he's a hard-tackling German who's passionate about what he does. Whenever teams attack, Sven Bender will be the first man going into the war. He has fantastic stamina and endurance and runs for the better part of the game. As a German international, life is looking good for Sven Bender.
Bender would become the first German player to ever play for United's first team were he to come. The question remains, however, if he'd like to stay on at Dortmund and learn more before he leaves. Personally, I believe he would've benefited from staying with Jürgen Klopp for another season and just soaked up all the knowledge he could. However, if the calls from Old Trafford would hit Westfalenstadion in Dortmund, Bender would be gone in a second.

Cons:
Bender's absolute biggest problem is by far his speed. He's by no means any turtoise, but nor is he any Olympic sprinter. He manages to conceal this very well with his abillity to position himself perfectly, as mentioned earlier. Bender's abillity with the ball is also something that must be addressed. He's an all-right passer, but with the ball at his feet he looks lost. Stressing, not knowing what to do and often ending up clearing it upfield or striking a bad pass are just some of the things that Bender needs to improve quickly. But with his discpline, his willingness to learn and his passion for the game, I believe Bender might be one of the few who might improve heavily on all of these aspects of the game.
As mentioned, Bender is loving life at Dortmund along with Jürgen Klopp. He is in no hurry to leave and the smartest thing for him would to stay on. I think Bender knows that, but I also thing Jürgen Klopp knows that. Cannot see this transfer happening any time soon.




5. Daniele de Rossi, AS Roma
The most experienced of the bunch is the World Cup winning Italian. A man who really needs no introduction, De Rossi is still one of the toughest players around. Known for his extreme abillity to punish his opponents with crunching tackles, wonderful pressing and the abillity to intimidate, he's still one of the premier players in his position.


Pros:
Daniele de Rossi is, arguably, the most complete defensive midfielder in the world. As mentioned, he tackles with menace, he's great at forcing the opponent to commiting errors, he can pass the ball, he can advance with the ball and he's an experienced character. Having just turned 28 he's in the prime of his career and De Rossi is still keen to showcase the abillties very few posess. Nicknamed "Il Capitan Futuro" (The Future Captain) is just a testament to the leadership abillties of De Rossi. Abillties that would come well in handy for a Manchester United-side struggling at the center of the pitch. During a tight squeeze, you can always rely on De Rossi to get the job done.
One of De Rossi's biggest fans for years is Sir Alex Ferguson. Already having identified him as a teenager, there were reports that United tried to sign him back in 2007 when he was still 24. When the season comes to an end, De Rossi will be out of contract. Getting such an experienced and talented player on a free is a chance Sir Alex Ferguson won't let go by.

Cons:
Despite his reputation for being such an awesome defending midfielder, he's beginning to slow down a bit. He's not as dominating and feared as he was a few years ago and it seems like his career has hit a downhill slope. He's by no means done at the highest level, but for a man who was just a total freak of nature a few season ago, it seems odd that he'd lose it all of a sudden. This may come from the uncertainty surrounding his future at Roma, as well as reported personal problems. During the last year he's had his stepfather killed which has led to understandle grief and sorrow. Could this be one of the factors as to why De Rossi's head has seemingly been out of the game for a while? Is it just his uncertainties or has he just hit a stalemate. Whatever it is, he needs to rediscover the form that made him into one of the most feared and respected mifielders around.
I cannot see this signing happening either. All right, he's out of a contract in the summer, but he's a Roma-boy through and through. My personal opinion is that he will probably come to terms with his club and stay there throughout his career. Even so, his agent expressed that if De Rossi was to leave Roma he would still remain in the Serie A. But in football things change quickly. Perhaps he'd want to try something new, give himself a new experience. Pep Guardiola left Barcelona as a player to find new inspiration and see new things too. Who's to say De Rossi won't too?

And then we have those who look to the future. Why not get the best talents out there and mould them into true Red Devils? Why not spend big money on today's up- and coming stars in order to secure somewhat of a reinforcement today, and a solid squad for years to come. Hey, we didn't do too bad when we signed Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani and Anderson all at a very young age when coming. In today's football we've experienced more hyoe surrounding younger players ever than before. For a United-side in need of a creativity and a feeling of freshness, youth may just be the key.These players are known as the The Future.


The Future



1. Mario Götze, Borussia Dortmund
Not often does is the word "prodigy" used about a player, but if the word should be applied to anyone, then it would fit perfectly to this guy. Not only is he a young talent, Mario Götze is also the backbone and the foundation of a young impressive Borussia Dortmind side, as well as the generational change in Germany. Hunted by almost everyone, Götze can bask in offers as he continues his reign of dominance in the German Bundesliga.



Pros:
Where to start? What's the most impressive about Götze is his handling of every position he plays. Jürgen Klopp enjoyed using him as a winger when Nuri Sahin was at the club, but as soon as he went to Real Madrid, he tried Götze in that role. It worked like a charm. Blessed with fantastic vision, Götze makes everyone around him play better. He's a player that has it all; speed, technique, abillity to pick out a pass, abillity to beat his marker, he scores goals, he can cross. You name it, he can do it. At his age, there's probably not a bigger midfield talent in the world. Besides, he has a fantastic working mentality. He has an undying hunger for success, and to generally improve as a football player. It's quite rare to find a player with such drive in him to make himself, as well as everyone around him, better. He knows the value of a team.
I have HUGE problems with seeing Götze ever making the move to Old Trafford. It's probably one of those wet dreams we all now won't happen. He would improve the dream greatly with his skills and his winning mentality. In many ways, he'd fit perfectly in to a yung United-squad. But with Dortmund reluctant to sell, it seems impossible to get him. A testament to this is their refusal of a bid in the £20-30m region from Arsenal during the summer. Surely, there's hope, but there's not too much of it here I'm afraid.

Cons:
There's not too many weaknesses to Götze's game. A cliché, which I have used many a time in this blog piece, is his size. It will remain as the biggest question mark out there. Is he one of the smaller players who can handle the tempo and physicality in the Premier League, or will he cumble under it? Personally, I believe he'ddo very well. He's also young and will grow with the routine he gains from playing the Champions League this season with Dortmund. He's probably a shoe-in for the European Championship next summer as well. The biggest con, perhaps, is that he's not yet developed as a two-way player. His defensive skills are not really showcased too much yet, nor do I believe there's too much to showcase. He's certainly one to learn, though. With time comes development and Götze is at the perfect place to learn.
As mentioned, I don't believe he will come. With the European Championship coming up his price will probably rise as well. I can imagine him having a monster torunament and Dortmund holding out for a sum only two clubs in the world would be willing to pay; Real Madrid and Manchester City. Götze seems a no-go.




2. Ross Barkley, Everton
Everton's brightest new talent is found within their midfield players. Several English plaudits have applauded the arrival of Ross Barkley onto the big stage, claiming he's the greatest English talent since Steven Gerrard. A player blessed with intensity, power and precision, he seems destined to become a future England star.


Pros:
As mentioned, he's blessed with fantastic power for a player of such a young age. With a fantastic drive in him, he's usually one step ahead of his opponents. His will to win and impress has taken him a long way and he's truly a tireless player remincent of the old school English player. Nitty and gritty, hard and tough, Barkley finds himself unique in being such a tough player at such a young age. His passing is also impressive for a player of such young age. Perhaps not as good as Steven Gerrard in that aspect, he still impresses with a few long-range daggers and finding the open man in space. He's got impressive vision for a player labeled as a classic box-to-box player and at his tender age he's bound to get even more impressive. One of the more impressive things in his bag of tricks is his abillity to head the ball. Perhaps not really proven in the Premier League, Barkley is known as a great header and is a constant threat on U-21 level when the ball is crossed in.
Can I see Barkley coming to United? Well, let's put it like this; I have a good friend of mine who's a huge Everton-supporter. When United played Everton and I saw Ross Barkley warming up before being subbed in I said "Hey, wait a second.. Why's Ross Barkley warming up for Everton? He's our player!" He seems destined for Old Trafford in my eyes. It just reaks of a Wayne Rooney-type signing. And I don't believe he'd mind that too much himself.

Cons:
Barkley is a young player, but he shows his age way too much. He's too often caught out of position as he gets too giddy in offense, or goes too deep in defense. Certainly not a tactical genius, he needs experienced players around him to guide him around the pitch and make sure he stays in his place. A common thing for a young player. There are also questions surrounding his temprament. He's a hard tackler of the ball, but sometimes he just crosses the line a bit too much with crunching, uneccesary tackles that are sound application for an early shower from the man in charge. He needs to sort his head out, stay focused and stick to his job out there. But remember, that was Wayne Rooney's biggest enemy as well as a young player. And we've all seen how he's turned out.
In terms of challenges for a deal, i can see the price being the biggest issue. Everton don't have too much money, but they're not stuid enough to sell away such a mega-talent for nickles and dimes. If Barkley wants to come to United, he'll probably come, but David Moyes won't let himself fool twice having already lost Wayne Rooney. And even that is, by many, labeled as a steal.




3. Christian Eriksen, Ajax
Not since Michael Laudrup have the Danes had more to be excited about. Their newest superstar is the Ajax-playmaker Christian Eriksen who has earned applaus from almost every part of the world. A player blessed with an incredible vision, Eriksen is expected to become one of the true greats for "De Røde og Hvide" for a long time.


Pros:
Perhaps the biggest plus, and the most unique thing about Eriksen is his passing abillity. Not often do you see a young player with such creativity and such vision, but Eriksen is certainly a pick above the rest. Not only is he good at the little, basic things, but his passing range is just fabulous. He loves to wander around the opponents half, picking out passes like it was second nature. As soon as he sees a man running, he'll pick him out with an inch-perfect pass. Many compares him to Michael Laudrup in the way that he sees things normal players never see, and there's certainly a point to be made there. Besides being a fantastic passer, he's also a set piece expert. He can cross the ball from anywhere and is often the cornertaker for both the Danish national team, as well as Ajax. He can also smack them in from set pieces and gets a fantastic whip on the ball. As far as being suited for United, he'd give the team the flair and the creativity they'd sorely need. You won't find too many players with the same level of creativity as Eriksen. A young prospect that I predict will dazzle the world for years to come.
Eriksen would fit beautifully in at United in the mould of being creative. As an Ajax-player he'd also be able to handle the pressure and the tempo of the Premier League, I believe. He won't be too expensive neither because of Ajax' talent development and because the Dutch teams usually never hold out for big money on young, aspiring players.

Cons:
On the opposite end of things, Eriksen is a very weak player. He gains much of his skills from being fast and small, but challenged, he'd often brushed away easily. You could compare to a painter. If not given his preferred surroundings and the working environment of his choosing, his painting will turn into nothing more than colors on a canvas. The pitch is Eriksen's canvas, the ball is his brush and he needs the perfect surroundings to make everything work. In England, he'd be challenged heavily in this aspect. He's not proven well in defense either. Primarly a "luxury player", Eriksen's job is providing the players around him with passes and not defending. This meaning he'd have big problems working in a two-man central midfield in a 4-4-2-formation. A formation often preferred by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Eriksen himself has professed time and time again that he wishes to stay at Ajax and learn. If he was ever to leave he'd wish to join Barcelona. That being because of their training staff and because he feels the only other place he'd learn as much as in Ajax would be at Barcelona. Certainly a wise young man, but this is bad news for other teams opting for his services. Especially Manchester United.




4. Mateo Kovacic, Dinamo Zagreb
At age 17 he's already a regular for Dinamo Zagreb, has played in the Champions League and has played for Croatia's U-21 side. The U-21 coach, Martin Novoselac, has commented on Kovacic' skills saying he's never seen anyone as talented since Robert Prosinecki. Certainly a comment that has not been ignored by any of the European giants.


Pros:
Perhaps his biggest advantage, and what is most surprised to many, is Kovacic' calmness and maturity on the pitch. He enjoys to do things nice and easy, usually never gets caught out of position and is a solid player for his team. A player that has been likened to Luka Modric, he enjoys to wander around the pitch, much like his Croatian countryman. He can beat a man, play a throughball and is often the focal point in Dinamo's attack, which is remarkable considering his young age. But it does not stop there. Kovacic also enjoys to penetrate the box whenever he sees there's a chance and scored a few goals in the Croatian topflight for Dinamo. A player of great courage, he does not fear nothing. He's known for doing the dirty work on the defence end as well, even though he's not the biggest of players. Often he's brushed aside, but for a player of his physique, it's impressive to see him never giving up on helping his team and stop other teams from attacking. Certainly one to keep an eye on.
United have, according to several reports, shown a strong interest in Kovacic. According to his agent, a move to England seems to be in the cards and with United's interest, it would seem reasonable for him to come to Old Trafford. His playing style would also fit in well at United with him being capable of playing in a 4-4-2. And with a player destined for such greatness, could United really force themselves not to looking the possibillity of signing the young Croatian?

Cons:
In terms of cons, there's certainly an issue to be made about his style of play. He plays vey low-risk and enjoys to do things easy. All right, that's not relly something you can arrest him for, but United need someone to unlock the offensive troubles we're having. Sure, he does play the odd pass through to the attackers during games, but perhaps he needs to be more cutting edge in order to make it into a United-side? The there's his age. He turned 17 this year and that age the best solution could be to remain in Croatia for a season or two in order to soak up every bit of routine he can. We can all name plenty of examples of players who have been hyped up and showed great promise only to be left out in the cold at the biggest clubs in the world and never fulfilled their promise. I enjoy watching Kovacic and would love him at United, but perhaps it's not his time yet? The tempo and pace could also come back to haunt him, even though he does play at a high pace in Dinamo already, something which he showed with an impressive performance aganst Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.
Due to his rising star he's gained many a follower. The latest rumours had Juventus sniffing around the player, meaning that other big clubs will flock around him like voltures come summertime. There was also a report that Arsenal had a bid rejected for him the region of £10m meaning that he won't come cheap. But if you want top talent, you gotta pay top money.




5.  Granit Xhaka, FC Basel
Perhaps not as talked, but certainly as talented. When people think of FC Basel, many of their thoughts go to Xherdan Shaqiri. But behind him stands Granit Xhaka. A strong, composed midfielder blessed with calmness and ruthless agression, ready to take on the world.


Pros:
Theere's an interesting aspect to the game of Granit Xhaka. You can almost compare to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the way he plays. He's a composed, well-balanced passer who can pick out a man and play great throughballs. Then there's the ruthless, no-nonsense tackler who's willing to bleed for the crest he wears on his chest. A great tackler of the ball, Xhaka has become an enforcer at the heart of Basel's midfield. When he faced United at Old Trafford, he spared no excuse in roughing up the United players and quickly sat himself in respect. He first broke through when he debuted for the Swiss national team at Wembley versus England. He showed calmness and strength and sdid not seem bothered by the ocation. Despite his performance, it was Xherdan Shaqiri who earned most of the plaudits with his fantastic goal. And that seems to be the reciepe for how Xhaka grows. He's no in the spotlight and therefore concentrate on his own game. That seems to the way he's improved. And if he continues his quick improvement, there won't go much time before Shaqiri is the one to find himself in the shadow.
To me it seems that Xhaka would be a perfect fit for United's midfield. Still so young and with so much energy in him on both ends, United's midfield is screaming out for someone like him. As a U-17 World Cup Winner he also brings experience with him, which has also been enhanced by his constant apperance in the Champions League this season, as well as him playing for Switzerland. He won't be the most expensive player in the world neither, and for the price paid and the talents he has, why not take a chance on Granit Xhaka?

Cons:
Even though he knows how to pick passes, creativity seems to be one of the things lacking from his game. He's well-based in every aspect of the game, but in terms of breaking through and sealing a move to a bigger club, he needs to find his creative self. Another big issue with Xhaka is his temprament. He gets way too many uneccesary yellow cards and plays too risky at times. He loves going full force, pedal to the metal, at all times which comes back to haunt him in the long run. If he manages to calm himself down, concentrate on helping his team and finds a creative spark, the world will be at his feet.
He does not seem United material just yet. Of course, there's the potential and he certainly gains from having the physical aspect in order. The big question mark remains on if he'd actually improve the United midfield as of right now. Sure, he's a great talent, but does he add something to what we already have? This will be a crucial season for Xhaka, but as an admirer, I believe he will prove me wrong.

But are there anyone else left to mention? What about those who have already proven themself useful in the Premier League? Certainly, they need to be included. Wouldn't it be more logical if we got someone who has already showed that they tangle with the best in the world's best league? Signing someone from a foreign has proved disatrous before, and therefore it may be wiser getting someone who actually knows the ropes in England. They will go under the name The Domestics


The Domestics



1. Yohan Cabaye, Newcastle United
The French international has lit up Tyneside like never before. With his elegance, flair, precision and energy, he's one of the main reasons why Newcastle are off to their best start in years. Proven to handle the Premier League, Cabaye seems set for a top club in the near future.


Pros:
As a Frenchman, you can almost expect Cabaye to carry some sort of class and elegance to his play. Known as a good dribbler, he also carries with him a few tricks and is known to dazzle crowds wherever he may play. His vision is also something to be in awe of. He picks out passes so well, but not only does he pick out passes, he understands when to play them as well. I've seen very often that he spots one of the strikers running, but holds his pass because he notices the opponent tracking down the striker and therefore plays a simple pass instead. The quick thinking of Cabaye has sat him in a league above the rest of Newcastle's team and it's quite impressive that the Magpies got him for under £5m with all the promise he's showing. Perhaps not the greatest of tacklers, Cabaye is still unafraid of going into battle against bigger and stronger players. A player dedicated to the game as he gives full force both ways.
In terms of going to Manchester United, I think the chances are pretty high. It has been reported that United are looking at him as a potential signing already this January, and I don't think he'd be against the idea, despite what he claims in the media. Would sit fantastic in the middle, would add flair, and would add more depth and precision to a United-midfield lacking all of the above.

Cons:
The biggest con for Cabaye is that he's not an experienced Premier League-player yet. He's not been in England six months and could therefore be living on short time in terms of being as good as he is. We've seen quite a few examples of players who have come in and been fantastic in the beginning of their Premier League careers and then just disappeared because they couldn't handle the league. Cabaye's biggest problem will therefore be the tempo of the Premier League. He is, however, a French international and is used to handle pressure on the pitch, as well as off it. The question remains on if he manages to handle the Premier League over time. I, for one, believe he'll have no trouble playing at a higher level with a better club.
Cabaye, himself, claimed a few days ago that he didn't even consider leaving Newcastle as of now, despite the interest from clubs such as United and Chelsea. He seems dedicated to help Newcastle kick on even further, which is something you need commend him for. Yet, I fail to believe that if an acceptable offer would arrive at St. James' Park, or Sports Direct Stadium if you will, that Mike Ashley would be the one to turn it down.




2. Cheik Tioté, Newcastle United
If you look up "badass" in a dictionary, you'll find the picture above and a direction to the site page of Cheik Tioté. A hard-tackling, smashmouth style player who's attitude has earned him respect and admiration throughout the league. At the heart of Newcastle's midfield he reigns with an iron fist and you'd be wise not to piss him off. An absolute monster of a player.


Pros:
If there's a player to fear in the Premier League, it's this fella. Brutal, hard, strong, no-nonsense and with an engine few other posses, he's turned himself into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. With brutal, but fair, tackles, great interceptions, a huge winning mentality and with impressive focus he's also become a wanted man throughout England. But behind this hardness there's also a player who can shoot the ball from distance, pick out passes and help his team on the offensive end, though that is not one of his strenghts. After arriving from Twente last season, he took the league by storm and showed his class and determination time and time again. Most notably in the legendary 4-4-game against Arsenal.
If United want a henchman and someone who will brutalize any opposing midfielder, then they should cash in on the Ivorian international. An absolute force in the way he plays, he'd offer United power and intimidation not witnessed since the glorious days of Roy Keane.

Cons:
For a player of his style, it's quite understandable that he gets booked as much as he does. It's still one of the bigger weaknesses of his game. He gets way too many yellow cards and is suspended way too much for him to be a Man United-player. He also has a temprament that has caused quite a few problems for him. He had a headbutting incident last season that saw him ruled for a number of games and episodes like that are not wanted in football, let alone at Old Trafford. He also gets caught out more than he should when he decides to wander upfield. He does have something to offer up there, but it's primarly in the defence region he reigns and he should learn to stay there more often, even though the temptation of scoring goals and particpating in goals is always there for him. If he manages to tone himself down a bit, he'd be a perfect choice for any team in the top flight of English football.
I think it would be hard to sign Tioté due to the fact that he signed a massive contract with Newcastle last season. Tioté's new deal sees him staying at Tyneside 'til the end of the 2016/2017-season and for a player who has shown that he handles the Premier League in the way that he has, he'll be no cheap buy.




3. Sandro, Tottenham Hotspur
One of the more interesting prospects throughout the Premier League is this young Brazilian international. Perhaps not as Brazilian in his style of play, Sandro has proven to be dynamic, hard-working and composed in his style of play. Sandro's a player for the future and is tipped by many to rule midfields for years to come.


Pros:
Sandro is a big, tall midfielder who enjoys to do things simple. Perhaps going against Brazilian tradition, he finds solace in in not being as flashy as his countrymen and does his job the easiest way possible. His engine is absolutely fantastic and in his role in central midfield he's a typical ballwinner. He stops attacks, marks the open man and has an understanding for the game which is remarkable for someone as young as him. He's also pretty fast which makes him a menace to play against when he comes running at you. Not afraid of sliding challenges, he has outplayed midfields in the class of Chelsea and Liverpool. Certainly something he can write down on his CV. One thing worth to mention is his abillity to score long range pearlers which he showed against Chelsea last season. An aspect of his game that makes him into an x-factor. He also used to be the U-21 captain for Brazil and is reknowned for his leadership abillties, even though he may not seem like the perfect leader. A player who certainly leads by example, Sandro plays until the final whistle, mauling down opponents at will and is quickly progressing into becoming one of the better midfielders in the English game today.
Sandro's still very fresh in the Premier League and will need time to find his feet in England. But he's certainly one for the future, but one who could already contribute on a United-midfield today. I will be very surprised if Sir Alex Ferguson is not following the progression of the impressive young Brazilian.

Cons:
I believe Sandro's biggest problem is that he feels obligated to do more than neccesary, as well as the tempo of the Premier League. At Internacional in Brazil he was used as a deep-lying central midfielder who would break up attacks, as well as start his team up from the back. At Tottenham he sits more adjusted in midfield and seems a bit out of place at times. He enjoys running and stopping opponents, but he takes a too big of a bite out of the opposition, leading to him being misplaced one time too many times. The Brazilian style of football is also a more slow-paced one where you wear your opponent down. Sandro's shown that he's not yet adjusted to the level of European football, but these are things that will come with time. Time is on his side and the raw talent is there for everyone to see. He just needs to bide his time and not rush into things, and he'll be fine.
If there's one thing Harry Redknapp knows, it's that he has a potential midfield dynamo at his hands. With that being said, there's also Daniel Levy United have to face in the boardroom if they wish to sign Sandro. Both willing to hang on to Sandro, both wanting top dollar for him and both wishing to scare off teams that want him. Sandro is probably not going anywhere for the time being. Unless United break the bank.




4. Marouane Fellaini, Everton
Everton defeated interest from several of the top flight clubs in England, as well as foreign clubs for the services of Fellaini. Now, three years later he's showing magnificent promise and true determination in the middle of an Everton-side in dying need of a true leader.


Pros:
The great thing about Fellaini is perhaps that really doesn't have any clear disadvantages about him. He's a fantastic box-to-box midfielder with plenty of drive in him, he's strong, a great tackler, a decent passer of the ball, has a shot on him and is fantastic in the air. Perhaps the thing I like the most about him is the energy he has in him. A player with a fantastic engine who will run for 90 minutes, Fellaini is the heart and soul of an Everton midfield post-Arteta. He's taken the role as leader in midfield beautifully and plenty of their game goes through the giant Belgian, known for his impressive hairstyle. Other than that, he's constantly growing as a player and has abolished his rabid style were he'd tackle with menace, get caught out mostly all the time and has grown into a solid player in the middle of the park. Certainly one who shows how great you can become once you handle the tempo of the English game.
Fellaini, like every other player, wants to win trophies. He has flirted with interest from both Chelsea and Real Madrid and could be on his way out. He won't go cheap, but if United want someone dynamic, and proven in the Premier League perhaps a cheeky bid for the man of Morrocan descent is the way to go?

Cons:

The biggest disadvantage Fellaini has is that he's constantly injured. Whenever he gets a decent run going, he goes down with an injury which sets him back a few weeks and struggles to regain the same run of form when he comes back. For a team that had Owen Hargreaves for four years it seems like risky business if they were to pay up for the Belgian. The only real thing that Fellaini lacks in his style of playing, however, is pace. He's by no means slow, but it's perhaps the one thing that sets him below the rest in the aspect of being a world class player. He needs to learn how to compensate for not being the quickest on the pitch, despite being one of the most talented. His positioning needs to imrpove tenfold for him to be able to conceal that weakness, even though he's not bad there either. The big problem with Fellaini is just that he doesn't get enough time to prove his worth before he goes down injuried. Which is sad for a player with so much promise as him.
United did make advances in terms of signing him when he was at Standard Liege, but he turned them down to go and play for Everton. With Chelsea and Real madrid lurking around, and constant reports of him ebing ready to sign a new contract with the Everton, it seems as if Fellaini won't be edging any closer to Old Trafford any time soon.



5. Sebastian Larsson, Sunderland
Perhaps a surprise inclusion to the list, I believe Sebastian Larsson is one of the more underrated players in the Premier League today. He's got flair, he's got finesse and at Sunderland he's also shown that he can carry a team on his shoulders at times. An interesting player who may catch the eye of bigger clubs if he continues his recent form.


Pros:
The Swedish international has proven himself as a creativity force on several occasions both for Birmingham and Sunderland, as well as on the Swedish national team. He enjoys getting the ball at his feet and perform his own little magic by spotting the open man with a pass, fire off a shot or beating his man and cross the ball. Larsson is a player of many talents and has shown that he's not a quitter. With energy and savy, he's one of the more underrated, and hardly celebrated, players in the Premier League. He's also known to be quite the player when playing with two men at the center of the pitch, as well as playing as an out-right winger. Flexibillity is always something that's welcomed by Sir Alex Ferguson and with his former apprentice, Steve Bruce, watching over him, you can assure yourself that Fergie will have first option should he wish to secure himself of the aspiting Swede.
It's a possibillity that Larsson may come to United, but that's only because of Steve Bruce. If he'd tips Fergie of the availabillity of him, I'm sure he'd take a look. Perhaps not one of the obvious, I believe Larsson is a wildcard in terms of ever making his way to the Theater of Dreams.

Cons:
The biggest con about Larsson is that he has no experience from playing at a big club. Sure, he was once an Arsenal player, but with no apparences in the Premier League, it's quite uncertain to asses whetever he'd handle the pressure or not. He'd also have to get used to playing more than one game a week, which is what he does now at Sunderland. With a United-team fighting on all fronts, Larsson could easily be given a run for his money in terms of actually keeping up to shape with a team such as United. He's an impressive player for a mid-table club and could probably do a job for any of the bigger ones as well, but you'd have to be cautious of his form, his abillties and his capabillities in terms of suiting up for one of the big clubs. Despite being a good all-around midfielder, there's nothing that truly stands out about him either. Nothing he's really known for. Sure, he is a goal threat, he can pick out passes, he can score from set pieces, but there's nothing with Larsson that truly catches the eye of managers throughout the league. Certainly a disadvantage and perhaps the reason why he is as underrated of a player.

A special thanks goes to Nicolas Berg (Nicopoleides) who helped with the intro, Herman Schüller (hermanschuller) for his great knowledge on all the players from the German Bundeliga that's mentioned as well as everyone who contributed with names and suggestions for this piece. Thank you!