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Manchester United had been preparing for a major midfield revamp this summer.

INEOS were intent on bringing in an upgrade over Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford. Casemiro also needed to be replaced after revealing during the 2026–27 season that he and the club would part ways this summer.

At least two top-quality midfielders were required, but considering a previously postponed midfield transfer from last summer, the actual need rose to three new signings.

United have already secured two of those in Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, leaving the question of who will become their third midfield recruit.

Across social media discussions and pundit analyses, one clear theme has emerged: many insist that United must focus on signing a defensive midfielder.

The argument is that while Tielemans and Santos boost the team’s technical level, there are lingering concerns that this midfield could be outpaced during transitions. As a result, some believe United should target a hard-working, energetic player capable of covering large areas of the pitch.

Although that reasoning seems sound at first glance, anyone who watched Argentina’s clash with England or France’s encounter with Spain in the World Cup semi-finals would have gained valuable insight into how midfield battles are truly won.

A player may excel in physical attributes such as running, tackling, and recovering possession, but those traits alone do not ensure control in midfield.

Spain’s compact shape allowed their technically adept midfielders to dominate France’s more physically imposing trio. Their discipline and ball retention ultimately proved more decisive than athletic power.

Beyond that, consider Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice — both appear strong on paper, but their defensive tendencies highlighted their technical shortcomings against Argentina.

They are undoubtedly fine athletes, yet they often shy away from receiving the ball under pressure, take excessive touches when in possession, and rely too much on conservative sideways or backward passes.

Physical strength alone doesn’t guarantee midfield dominance. In fact, the World Cup semi-finals demonstrated that when a technically superior midfield faces a physically powerful one, the side with better technical quality usually prevails.

Interestingly, European champions PSG have long hinted at this principle, though it continues to be overlooked by many observers.

United’s primary target, Alex Scott, exemplifies this approach. While he may not be a traditional defensive midfielder, the same fundamentals apply — covering space intelligently, pressing as part of the collective, and using technical ability to navigate tight areas. True control stems from calmness and skill rather than sheer defensive work rate.

Therefore, United could take a wiser route by signing another technically gifted midfielder instead of chasing an obvious “number six.” This strategy would enhance their ability to dictate games and help them avoid falling into the trap of overspending on a defensive specialist who might ultimately restrict the team’s development.