Manchester United: Picking United's Best Midfield for the 2011-12 Season

Finding a great midfielder is invaluable—someone who can impact at both ends of the pitch as well as, of course, controlling the middle of the park.

Luckily for Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have a wealth of options in the middle, with both raw potential and fruitful experience at his disposal.

With 36 games still to go over the rest of the season, here are some of the options available to United. 

Right Midfield

Options: Nani has started both games thus far with Antonio Valencia yet to fully find a rich spell of health since recovering from a horrific double-leg break suffered in the Champions League last year.

Verdict: With Valencia currently unavailable, it becomes a formality that Nani starts week-in, week-out.

If Valencia is able to find his feet once more, then he could well get the nod in big games for his work ethic and versatility. 

Centre-Midfield

Options: Where do we start? Michael Carrick didn't feature against Tottenham but has been the most prevalent of choices over the past year; Ryan Giggs' services seem reserved for big games; and Anderson has struggled to find consistency and fitness after a short purple patch a couple of years ago.

Tom Cleverley returned from his loan spell at Wigan with little to no expectations but has since impressed so much he may well be the new first choice.

The proposed deal for Wesley Snejider has been so on and off that even Cesc Fabregas is embarrassed.    

Verdict: In the big games, Giggs is one of the first names on the team sheet while the others seem to be on somewhat of a rotation policy.

Cleverley has fitted in sublimely, and so for the moment, he'd be my first choice alongside Giggs for the big games.

Left-Midfield

Options: Ashley Young was signed over the summer and has started both games thus far. Ji-Sung Park, meanwhile, is beloved by Sir Alex Ferguson for his team-first style of play.

Verdict: Not only has Ashley Young looked good, he's been the Ashley Young that should start on a regular basis for England as well as United.

Park is a serviceable backup and great squad payer.