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Over the last six months, Manchester United has lost the experience of Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera in the middle of the field, while the form of Nemanja Matic has collapsed alarmingly.
Michael Carrick having just recently retired, and major doubts about Fred's ability to English football, the midfielder was seen as an area where it was urgent to tackle.
While the development of Scott McTominay has eased some pressure, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants to sign at least one midfielder this summer.
It all depends on the situation of Paul Pogba.
If the French international leaves for Real Madrid or Juventus, it will be necessary to find a world-clbad substitute. In addition, Solskjaer will be forced to reconsider the configuration of his midfield.
Update Manchester United transfer window
Alternatives for Pogba have long been developed, including Christian Eriksen.
But if Tottenham's playmaker headed for Old Trafford, he would not be used in the deep role Solskjaer played for Pogba alongside McTominay.
Instead, it would be used in the middle of the field behind a single leader.
In pictures | Man Utd Transfer Priorities: Defense
1/5 Harry Maguire
The Leicester defender is United's prime target, but its value is estimated at £ 90m.
Harriet Lander / Getty Images
2/5 Kalidou Koulibaly
It remains a target if an agreement can not be reached for Maguire, but United knows that the star of Napoli will cost even more than the £ 90 million that Leicester asks for his key man.
AFP / Getty Images / Ben Stansall
3/5 Jamaal Lascelles
The center back of Newcastle is considered a cheaper alternative to Maguire and Koulibaly.
Getty Images for Premier League
4/5 Milan Skriniar
The defender of Inter Milan has been spotted by United over the last 18 months.
Getty Images
5/5 Alessio Romagnoli
The 24-year-old is another option from AC Milan.
AFP / Getty Images
1/5 Harry Maguire
The Leicester defender is United's prime target, but its value is estimated at £ 90m.
Harriet Lander / Getty Images
2/5 Kalidou Koulibaly
It remains a target if an agreement can not be reached for Maguire, but United knows that the star of Napoli will cost even more than the £ 90 million that Leicester asks for his key man.
AFP / Getty Images / Ben Stansall
3/5 Jamaal Lascelles
The center back of Newcastle is considered a cheaper alternative to Maguire and Koulibaly.
Getty Images for Premier League
4/5 Milan Skriniar
The defender of Inter Milan has been spotted by United over the last 18 months.
Getty Images
5/5 Alessio Romagnoli
The 24-year-old is another option from AC Milan.
AFP / Getty Images
That would still leave United in need of another midfielder to play in depth.
Solskjaer is eager to call Sean Longstaff, but without Pogba, he would have very little chance of trusting McTominay, given the lack of experience of both players.
Solskjaer also identified Idrissa Gueye as a player capable of immediate impact, but the former Everton midfielder completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain despite United's uncertainties regarding his own planning.
Man Utd began exploring the possibility of signing Bruno Fernandes in March, to follow up on this at the end of the season.
Although he remains on Solskjaer's radar, the club's hierarchy is not satisfied with attempts to improve his ranking with constant speculation about an impending move to Old Trafford.
In Pictures: Man Utd Transfer Priorities: Attack
1/5 Romelu Lukaku
Uncertainty about the future of the Belgian tied up Solskjaer.
Daniel James and Mason Greenwood are new options, but Solskjaer wants an immediate starter on the right wing.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
2/5 Jadon Sancho
The young Englishman was the prime target before Borussia Dortmund made it clear that the English winger was not for sale, the lack of football in the Champions League also weakening the position United trading.
AP
3/5 Nicolas Pepe
The interest in Nicolas Pepe has cooled before Arsenal intensifies his pursuit of the Lille winger of £ 72 million.
AFP / Getty Images
4/5 Moussa Dembele
The 23-year-old was watched and scored two goals in Lyon's 2-1 victory over the Emirates Cup against Arsenal.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
5/5 Paulo Dybala
The Juventus striker is under study and United is aware of its availability all summer long.
A possible exchange agreement with Lukaku would be an ideal scenario, even if Tottenham also wants Argentina.
AFP / Getty Images
1/5 Romelu Lukaku
Uncertainty about the future of the Belgian tied up Solskjaer.
Daniel James and Mason Greenwood are new options, but Solskjaer wants an immediate starter on the right wing.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
2/5 Jadon Sancho
The young Englishman was the prime target before Borussia Dortmund made it clear that the English winger was not for sale, the lack of football in the Champions League also weakening the position United trading.
AP
3/5 Nicolas Pepe
The interest in Nicolas Pepe has cooled before Arsenal intensifies his pursuit of the Lille winger of £ 72 million.
AFP / Getty Images
4/5 Moussa Dembele
The 23-year-old was watched and scored two goals in Lyon's 2-1 victory over the Emirates Cup against Arsenal.
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
5/5 Paulo Dybala
The Juventus striker is under study and United is aware of its availability all summer long.
A possible exchange agreement with Lukaku would be an ideal scenario, even if Tottenham also wants Argentina.
AFP / Getty Images
In truth, United could have engaged the captain of Sporting Lisbon well before if they wished.
He may end up joining the Solskjaer team, but the priorities are elsewhere.
United has also been closely linked to Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, but high-ranking sources at Old Trafford have denied any interest.
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