The composition of Manchester United’s midfield has been the subject of much debate over the past five seasons, often being cited as one of the squad’s main weaknesses.
It is an area that Alex Ferguson may well be looking to upgrade with the possibility of Paul Scholes retiring, Anderson leaving and Darren Fletcher still struggling with a stomach illness.
Ilkay Gundogan
The German international only garnered attention in this part of the world as a result of Borussia Dortmund’s semi-final performance against Real Madrid.
It is true that the central midfielder was a key cog in the middle of the park over the two legs, but his influence has been apparent throughout this season.
Comfortable in attack and defence, Gundogan has the dynamism to thrive alongside a partner like Michael Carrick. His range of passing is excellent with a Bundesliga completion rate of 87 per cent, while he has netted three times and assisted two more from midfield where he is the link man for Dortmund.
Marouane Fellaini
Less technical than Gundogan, the Belgian is more versatile. Capable of playing in a deeper role or even behind the main striker, Fellaini has been a key man in an Everton side that have battled for a Top Four place.
11 league goals and five assists makes him the Toffees’ top scorer but passing is a slight weakness with a success rate of 78 per cent this season.
He would make a fine addition in the thick of Premier League battle, but whether he can improve United in Europe is doubtful.
Yohan Cabaye
Newcastle’s fall from grace this season has not been helped by the injury problem Cabaye suffered earlier in the season.
An important figure in last season’s Top Six finish, the France international has created 48 chances (over two per game) this term.
A goalscoring threat from midfield, he has found the net six times, while he has shown vision with his rate of accurate long balls placing him 13th in the Premier League rankings.
Defensively he has only won 65 per cent of his tackles which does not make him an ideal partner for Carrick, although his reading of the game is quite good with his interception rate the second highest at Newcastle behind the combative Cheikh Tiote.
Kevin Strootman
The 23-year-old PSV midfielder has established himself in the Netherlands starting XI after the car crash of Euro 2012.
A deep-lying playmaker or holding midfielder, the 6 foot 1 player is strong in the air and physically imposing.
His tenacity and leadership ability has also earned comparisons to Roy Keane although he is more technical, possessing excellent distribution skills.
He has also found the net five times in the Dutch Eredivisie this season, also weighing in with 10 assists.
Luka Modric
This transfer rumour was thought to have died when the Croatian moved to Real Madrid for €40 million last summer.
But the playmaker has been a marginal figure at the Bernabeu this season. Yet the 27-year-old will not want to waste his peak years going stale on the bench and could profit from an inevitable clear-out in the Spanish capital.
An excellent dribbler and passer, blessed with wonderful close control and vision, he would be an astute long-term successor to Paul Scholes.
