Manchester United are planning to sign a midfielder in the transfer market this January.
After a frustrating summer, the club are now determined to strengthen the heart of Ruben Amorim’s midfield.
The Red Devils wanted to sign Carlos Baleba this summer. However, Brighton and Hove Albion thwarted their efforts.
So, the Portuguese manager had to rely heavily on Bruno Fernandes this season. The captain continues to play every game and partners with either Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte.
However, many inside the club believe that Casemiro’s lack of pace is becoming a problem in Amorim’s high-intensity 3-4-3 system.
Also, Bruno Fernandes is not an ideal number 8 as he has struggled in that position consistently this season.
Meanwhile, Kobbie Mainoo has dropped down the pecking order, and Mason Mount has mostly been used in the front three. As a result, the need for a new midfielder has grown urgent.
According to former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown, the club have drawn up a list of potential January targets.
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown revealed that United “would ideally like a midfielder like Moises Caicedo” but are keeping tabs on several alternatives across Europe.
One name that stands out from the list is a young midfielder currently starring in the Bundesliga. That midfielder is Aleksandar Pavlovic, who plays for Bayern Munich.
The 21-year-old broke into the senior team at just 18 and has since made over 60 appearances for the reigning Bundesliga champions.
This season alone, he has started 5 of Bayern’s 8 league games under Vincent Kompany. Manchester United are monitoring Pavlovic closely, but Bayern have no plans to sell.
The German champions see him as part of their long-term project and have tied him down until 2029.
The Red Devils are also keeping an eye on Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand, and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
Whether Pavlovic becomes the answer to that midfield problem could depend on how determined Manchester United are to bring him to Old Trafford in January.
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