Manchester United Transfers: Top 6 Defensive Midfield Targets

Sir Alex Ferguson's No. 1 priority this summer should be to sign a defensive midfielder. Playing two central midfielders in a 4-4-2 evidently has not worked out for Manchester United this season. 

By signing a defensive midfielder, Manchester United can play an attacking midfielder to complement Wayne Rooney's deep-lying role. 

What about Michael Carrick? He's good defensively, but ideally, you'd want a pit bull in front of the back four. 

The quick fix would be to start Phil Jones in midfield, but he's a better right-back. 

Here are the top six defensive midfield targets for Manchester United. 

6. Javi Fuego, Rayo Vallecano, Age: 28

In terms of winning the ball, Javi Fuego is numero uno.

He is seven interceptions away from 200, and he’s completed 126 tackles whilst only receiving eight yellow cards.

You’re probably thinking, how on earth does he accumulate such outrageous numbers?

It’s a combination of Rayo Vallecano’s high-pressing tactics, the short-passing culture in La Liga and Fuego’s tenacity.

So if Fuego is statistically the best ball-winner in Europe, why isn’t he No. 1 on the list?

I’m not convinced he can sustain such an energy draining style.

Park Ji-Sung seems to have lost his “third lung” from the wear and tear of trying to be a Duracell bunny.

Either that, or he stopped drinking frog juice. 

5. Radja Nainggolan, Cagliari, Age: 23

Radja Nainggolan has been Cagliari’s most consistent player this season.

He’s a carbon copy of Ramires, albeit a better passer.

Nainggolan is almost more accurate playing long balls (84 percent completion rate) than short passes (85.9 percent completion rate). Luciano Spalletti will have completed a coup if Zenit Saint Petersburg successfully signs Nainggolan.

Cagliari went from agreeing to sell Nainggolan to Juventus to pulling out after the Belgian refused to sign for the Bianconeri. 

4. Yann M'Vila, Rennes, Age: 21

Watching Yann M'Vila this season, I haven’t been impressed, but maybe that’s because I hold him to a higher standard.

L'Équipe has given him a 5.25 player rating this season, which translates to mediocrity.

The issue with M'Vila is the hype around him has elevated his transfer fee to ridiculous proportions.

I suspect the constant transfer speculation has affected his performances, because the M'Vila I know has world-class potential. The M'Vila I’ve watched this season has been a run-of-the-mill midfielder.  

Based on this season’s form, I’d take Étienne Capoue over M'Vila. 

3. Étienne Capoue, Toulouse, Age: 23

Moussa Sissoko is overrated, whereas his teammate Étienne Capoue doesn’t get enough coverage.

Capoue possesses a voracious appetite for winning back possession. He's accumulated 147 tackles and interceptions combined in return for just five yellow cards.

He’s technically sound, physically impressive, can play at centre-back, and importantly, he has the mentality of a champion.

One slight concern is his tendency to play Hail Mary passes (a la Charlie Adam), as he only completes 52 percent of his long passes.

Capoue needs to tighten up his passing in general and ensure his 75 percent completion rate rises into the high 80s. 

2. Bruno, Villarreal, Age: 27

Bruno is one of the best midfielders in La Liga.

He average 5.8 interceptions per game and has completed 1,897 passes this season (only Xavi, Xabi Alonso and Dani Alves have completed more passes).

Like Claude Makélélé, Bruno is an underrated playmaker and an underappreciated player in general.

Bruno is the finished product, and he’ll slot straight into the Manchester United midfield. 

1. Javi Martínez, Athletic Bilbao, Age: 23

With the likes of Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Cesc Fàbregas and David Silva, Javi Martínez won’t be starting in the Spanish midfield anytime soon.

Marcelo Bielsa has taken advantage of Martínez’s desperation to start for Spain by convincing him to play at centre-back for Athletic Bilbao. 

Martínez has played well in defence, but he’s a world-class midfielder. He’s blessed with excellent passing range, high football IQ and solid physical attributes. If he was given a more free-roaming role, he'd score more goals and provide more assists.

In every sense, he's a complete footballer. 

Please read: Top 20 European-Based Goalkeepers This Season. 

Statistics courtesy of WhoScored.com.