Erik ten Hag has overhauled his team in the middle of the pitch – but is something missing?

Erik ten Hag has got the No6 he craved – yet the general sense is that Manchester United’s midfield still lacks “something.” That is remarkable, considering the new manager’s summer business has seen him change two thirds of a three-man engine room with the signings of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.

Ideally, he wanted to make another addition – Frenkie de Jong being his priority target – though it is highly unlikely United would have moved for Casemiro had the Dutchman been signed first.

So what exactly is missing from a midfield with Eriksen’s vision and range of passing, Casemiro’s ball-winning and shielding, and Bruno Fernandes’ goals?

Getty ImagesThe De Jong effect

Ten Hag’s preference was for De Jong to come in, carry the ball from deep areas and dictate play. But a trio of the Barcelona midfielder, Eriksen and Fernandes always looked lacking in terms of ball-winning qualities. It looked a bit light for the Premier League – in danger of being overrun.

Ten Hag has lost none of his enthusiasm over the potential signing of De Jong – and United are prepared to go back in for the Netherlands International if the opportunity arises in future windows.

AdvertisementThe Fernandes debate

Putting aside the need for a squad, rather than an XI, it still raises questions over precisely where United are lacking – and who would be the fall guy.

Fernandes?

Saturday’s 1-0 win against Southampton was a microcosm of what the Portugal international brings to the team – both positively and and negatively.

GettyWhy Fernandes is so crucial

He is a match-winner – be it through his goals, such as his second half strike at St Mary’s, or his relentless determination to make things happen in the final third.

He is a difference maker – a threat that defenders have to be alive to throughout the 90 minutes.

It is fair to say Fernandes prolonged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United reign by a good 12 months – so crucial were his goals from January 2020 to May 21.

He was the spark United desperately lacked. He took them to new levels – and in a team that so often relied on winning matches in clutch moments, he was perfect for Solskjaer’s counter-attacking system.

The decision to hand him a new contract in April remains a curious one, considering his dramatic loss of form last season – but he is one of a very small number of United signings over the past nine years who could be considered an unequivocal success.

Getty ImagesEriksen as a 10?

Yet, if Ten Hag’s midfield is missing “something,” is Fernandes the component that can make way?

Does a De Jong-type replace Eriksen, who would then be moved forward to take up a No10 role, which is possibly where he is best suited?

He is a better user of the ball than Fernandes – more capable of unlocking deep-lying defences with a threaded pass in tight spaces.