Manchester United need to find the perfect combination of Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay – Casey Evans

Due to Scott McTominay’s illness over the past week, Manchester United have had a difficult choice to make about who should play as the midfield holder.

Against Atletico Madrid, Paul Pogba was deployed in the role, however, it quickly became apparent that he was unable to function effectively, giving the ball away constantly under pressure.

The position also didn’t allow United to get the best out of the French midfielder’s passing ability.

When Nemanja Matic was introduced late in the game, however, the gap in quality between the veteran Serbian midfielder and the rest of the squad in his specialist role was clear.

And he carried that same form into the Watford fixture in the Premier League on Saturday, constantly moving the ball up the pitch by carrying it or passing it through the lines, while offering the team a safe option in possession.

The only issue with Matic however is his age and decreased level of stamina. It is rare that the 33-year-old can complete 90 minutes and when he begins to tire, it shows. This spells problems for the rest of United’s teams.

This is why McTominay has been preferred in recent weeks. What the Scottish midfielder lacks in technical ability he makes up for in energy and stamina.

Both aspects are important in a defensive midfielder but you are only playing one then they need to be operating with a broader palette. That is why United must acquire a defensive midfielder in the summer who covers both sides of the coin.

Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni are both potential targets for United in the summer and both have the energy and technical ability to be deployed alone at the base of midfield under the club’s next permanent manager.

And if they are considered too expensive, or if Europe’s other top clubs swoop in and beat United to their signatures, then Boubacar Kamara could also be a viable option as his Marseille contract expires in the summer.

Kamara has the added benefit of being able to play centre back, so could fill in as the club’s fourth choice in that position if Phil Jones and Eric Bailly were to leave.

It’s been a long time since United fans have enjoyed a top performance from a defensive midfielder. Now the club must secure a younger model in the summer.

Who do you want Manchester United to sign in the summer in defensive midfield? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comments section below.