Everyone went into this season knowing that United were going to buy a new midfield, and they have. Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have already joined Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, and Bruno Fernandes, with Carlos Baleba set to join the party. For the sake of this piece, we’re going to assume that Carlos Baleba will be wearing red by next week. There’s a lot to get through, so let’s get down to it.
Shared Responsibility: Strength and Weakness
In a team sport, the responsibilities are always shared, but we all know that some take
more responsibility than others because they can, and by virtue of that, have to. Bruno Fernandes will almost certainly start all games when fit; the same can’t be said of the others, but for the first time in a long time, that’s not a bad thing.
It’s not a bad thing because, with Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Kobbie Mainoo, and Carlos Baleba, United have got a lot of exciting central midfielders who can offer very different things that a top side demands. Michael Carrick seems like a manager who can keep a big squad hungry and motivated based on what we witnessed last season; his subs constantly turned up last season, and with more games to play this time around, we’ll surely see many midfield combinations all season, and in all competitions.
This isn’t just the story of United’s midfield, but also their backline and forward line. It’s certainly a strength but also a reminder that there aren’t many outright starters in this side and in the midfield. The players across the board are good, and the youngers could get better, but they aren’t fixture-proof; not yet anyway.
Midfield Depth: Best Mix In Years
United have had midfield depth in the past. This has been true under all the managers in the post-Fergie years when United have had European football; the real issue has been the mix.
Some players had the technical gifts but weren’t great going the other way, and vice versa; the balance was never quite right. No one among the current crop lacks the technical qualities to play for a top side, and even if they struggle with some defensive duties, it won’t be due to a lack of application. Some of them, like Michael Carrick, are never going to be capable of defending large spaces with conviction. Carlos Baleba’s addition should help greatly in this regard.
The bigger question is if the current crop of midfielders have the qualities to compete against the very best. The players in the deeper midfield positions seem like reliable players who are capable of offering something special on the odd occasion; it’s not a bad place to be in, but it relies on every one of them staying fit for the game where their qualities will be of most use.
Sir Alex often made players who spent time on the bench feel important by giving them a heads-up ahead of certain consequential games or moments during a game. They often rewarded his faith, and it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Michael Carrick does the same this season, but this will only work if they’re fit all season.
Comfort Rating: 7.5 /10
It’s too soon to say, so a 7.5 seems fair, but I’m hoping this goes up to an 8.5 by the end of the season for the midfield and the side as a whole. United should be comfortable in most of the home games this season; there’s enough in this midfield to take the game to most sides in the league. Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp are no longer around, and as impressive as Arsenal have been under Mikel Arteta, they don’t intimidate in the way that our two greatest rivals did for the best part of the last 10 years. If the new midfield can hold its own away from home, the sky’s the limit.
