Three unlikely midfield fixes Amorim could use to save Man United's 2025/26 season
Manchester United’s squad has a glaring issue in midfield, which they failed to address in the summer transfer window.
Despite welcoming Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Diego Leon, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens, the Red Devils came up short in recruiting the athletic midfielder Amorim desperately needed.
Head coach Ruben Amorim plans to lean heavily on captain Bruno Fernandes in midfield this season but that gamble will only pay off if he finds a partner who can bring steel, energy, and defensive solidity to the engine.
The onus is now on Amorim to find solutions in-house and stabilise the sinking ship.
Here are three inventive alternatives the manager could turn to in order to solve the midfield conundrum.
Lisandro Martinez
Martinez has sharp technical abilities and a fantastic passing range to thrive in a holding midfield role.
Amorim needs a player who can progress the ball from deep areas, and Martinez ticks that box with his composure and superb vision.
The Argentine is also a fierce ball-winner with a superb reading of the game, qualities that could give United extra control in the engine room.
Playing at the centre of the park is not alien to Martinez, having featured in 22 games as a holding midfielder at his former club Ajax.
However, his lack of pace raises concerns, and given his recent run of injuries, the physical demands of midfield could leave him vulnerable to fatigue.
Noussair Mazraoui
Mazraoui is a press-resistant operator who thrives in tight spaces and can seamlessly switch between positions.
He is not someone who can regularly play ambitious line-breaking passes but his reliability would free Fernandes to focus on creativity.
The Moroccan brings calmness in possession, positional discipline, and defensive security.
His high football IQ allows him to read situations early, making him a steady presence in central areas.
Like Martinez, Mazraoui has played over 50 times in midfield early in his career.
Amorim must take the risk of deploying Mazraoui in midfield. It is a risk but definitely a well-thought-out one.
Sekou Kone
Kone is the wild card in Amorim’s deck.
The 19-year-old joined United last summer and spent his debut season with the youth teams. He is strong, combative and will bring valuable ball-winning skills to the midfield.
He could act as a natural shield for the defence while providing the stamina to cover ground when Fernandes vacates his position (something he often does).
Adapting to the pace and intensity of the Premier League will be a huge step up, and the teenager still looks a little raw for regular top-flight minutes.
With Toby Collyer temporarily out on loan and no new midfield arrivals, the door is open for Kone to train regularly with the first team and accelerate his development.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .