The Urgent Need for a Defensive Midfielder at Manchester United

Manchester United is currently undergoing a significant mid-season rebuild, necessitating the acquisition of multiple positions within the midfield. The team's upcoming transfer window decisions will undoubtedly impact their performances next season. Despite the departure of players like Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, and Juan Mata, the club still needs to address the midfield with the addition of bodies. Additionally, there is an obvious need to bolster other areas of the squad.

Motivations Behind Transfer Decisions

The decisions made by the hierarchy at Manchester United have shifted towards a business-minded approach rather than a football-minded one. Key acquisitions like Frenkie de Jong and Christian Eriksen have been made, which is indicative of the club's ambition. However, there remains a critical gap in the midfield, specifically a defensive midfielder.

The absence of a specialist defensive midfielder is a puzzling choice. Questions arise whether new manager Erik ten Hag prefers to evaluate the performances of current midfielders like Fred and Scott McTominay before making any moves. Another possibility is that Ralf Rangnick, the previous manager, has left behind a plan concerning the role of Fabrizio Martinez in the new squad. Delays in acquiring this key position could have serious implications for the team's defensive capabilities.

The Business Over Football Approach

Manchester United's hesitance in making key acquisitions reflects a business-oriented approach that overshadows the footballing decision-making process. This mindset has been prevalent since the ownership of the club has not figured out the right formula for on-field success. As a result, transfer window activities often focus on short-term financial gains instead of long-term footballing benefits.

Historically, Manchester United has not been successful in making significant purchases in the transfer market, except for acquiring an unknown fullback during the last transfer window. Other top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City, and even Leicester City have spent their transfer budgets more wisely, often using the transfer window as a strategic tool to strengthen their teams. Only Manchester City has outspent in these transfers, highlighting the inefficiency of United's approach.

Lessons from Liverpool

Further evidence of Manchester United's misalignment of priorities can be found in the experiences of Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers. Although Liverpool experienced some challenges during his tenure, it is clear that the club did not learn from these experiences and continue to follow a less effective business-oriented strategy. The mismatched focus on the transfer market has resulted in Manchester United's gradual decline in performance.

For Manchester United to succeed, they must shift their focus from short-term financial gains to long-term strategic gains in the transfer market. The club needs to prioritize the well-being of the team over financial considerations to regain their top-flight status in English football.