5 Realistic Midfield Transfer Targets for Manchester United

With Darren Fletcher's unfortunate announcement that he is taking an extended and indefinite break from football because of illness, Manchester United have found themselves in the unenviable position of losing two of their key players in a week. This is on top of an already long injury list.

Last week captain Nemanja Vidic was ruled out for the remainder of the season, leaving a huge hole in Manchester United’s defence. However, with the likelihood of finding a replacement of similar quality being very low and with adequate cover in Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans, Manchester United can probably fight on without the need to invest in their defence.

However, Darren Fletcher’s absence has left an even bigger hole in an already weak area of the pitch for Man United and this absence does need addressing.

Anderson is injured until February. Tom Cleverley, although promising, is unproven and injury prone. Ryan Giggs and Park Ji Sung are wingers who can do a decent job in the middle of the pitch, and Phil Jones is a promising central defender being played in midfield.

This leaves only Michael Carrick as a recognised first team central midfielder. If Alex Ferguson wishes to seriously challenge for the league this season, then a replacement for Darren Fletcher must be brought in next month. 

Here are five realistic targets.

Chieck Tiote

Chieck Tiote has been a revelation for Newcastle since he signed last year. Tenacious in the tackle, good at keeping possession and with a great physical presence, he would bring something to Man United that they have been missing since Roy Keane hung up his boots.

Tiote has proven his quality this season and has now attracted interest from the biggest sides in the premiership. He has even shown a knack of scoring quality and important goals, such as against Arsenal in the amazing 4-4 draw last season.

Tiote would surely jump at the chance to sign for Manchester United and would no doubt prove to be a real asset. However, he does have African Nations commitments, which would see him miss up to a month of action early in the New Year. This may make Ferguson reconsider a January purchase. 

Whatever happens, it will be surprising to see Tiote still in a Newcastle shirt come the summer.

Daniele De Rossi

Daniele De Rossi is the main man in Roma's and Italy’s centre midfield. He can pass, shoot, tackle, has the ability to control games and is a natural leader. He is what we would call the complete midfielder who has proven his quality at the very top for nearly ten years.

What makes De Rossi a realistic target is the fact that his current contract expires with Roma in the summer. This means that he is free to talk to other clubs in January about a potential move for no transfer fee come the summer.

Roma would wish to have some sort of transfer fee rather than allow Dee Rossi to leave on a free and would probably accept a £10 million bid in January, if De Rossi refuses to sign a new contract. This is an amazing price for a 28-year-old who has been the subject of interest from Europe’s biggest clubs for many years.

There is no doubt that Ferguson would jump at the chance to have De Rossi in his team. However, other clubs, such as Manchester City, who could offer a lot more in wages are showing an interest and so far De Rossi has said he wishes to stay in Italy.

Keep an eye on this one, it could be exciting.

Jack Rodwell

Alex Ferguson has always shown an interest in the promising Everton midfielder. There was a rumour that Everton actually offered Rodwell to Man United in the summer, but at the time Ferguson passed, wishing to give his current midfielders a chance to shine.

However, circumstances as we know have changed. Ferguson may wish to go back to Everton in January and look to secure the deal.

Rodwell has recently won his first cap for England and has shown a new maturity this season, which has given him an extended run in the first team. He is still mostly potential, though, and Ferguson may wish to sign a more experienced player.

However, he is someone that has always been admired 30 miles down the road at Old Trafford.

Sandro of Tottenham Hotspurs

A little bit out of left field on this one, but there have been strong rumours that Manchester United has been keeping tabs on the situation with Sandro at Tottenham this season.

Last season Sandro showed glimpses of real talent, especially in the champions league matches against AC Milan where he dominated the midfield. Strong, quick and with bags of potential, Sandro would not have trouble settling in at Old Trafford, especially with the number of Brazilians who are already part of the first team squad there. 

Sandro has had his chances limited at Tottenham this season, with the fantastic form of Scott Parker since his arrival. Tom Huddlestone has also been injured for the majority of the season and with his imminent return, Sandro could find himself even further down the pecking order.

It seems a waste, but Sandro is definitely seen as one for the future by the Spurs hierarchy and they would not be keen to let him go. Man United are now seen as genuine rivals, as has been the improvement of Spurs, so even for the right money would they sanction a deal that improves the team of a title rival?

Lassana Diarra

A few weeks ago this transfer seemed highly likely. Diarra had struggled to keep a place in the starting 11 at Real Madrid and was made available for transfer in the summer. It seemed inevitable that a new team would sign this pit bull of a midfielder.

However, in the last few weeks Diarra has returned to the first team picture at Real Madrid and was one of the few players to perform to a high standard in the recent El Classico defeat to Barcelona.

Diarra has a history of regularly moving clubs, so it would be no surprise—despite his recent good form—to see him move again this January. An offer of a regular first team spot for Manchester United, in a league in which Diarra knows well, could be too tempting to turn down.

However, Ferguson might be put off by the potential transfer fee and bringing in a player who has shown little loyalty in his career.