Joe Cole names surprise star Man Utd must sign to fix all midfield issues in an instant

Joe Cole claims Manchester United should abandon plans to sign Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham or any other midfield target – with one man he feels is capable of fixing all their issues in the middle of the park.

The January window passed by at Old Trafford without any new arrivals. And while interim boss Ralf Rangnick is targeting midfield reinforcements, the only business at United came with those departing the club.

However, Rangnick – or whoever is in charge – will reportedly be in the market for a new midfielder come the summer. The likes of Declan Rice – who David Moyes is again warning will not come cheap – and Amadou Haidara have both been linked.

Borussia Dortmund teenager Jude Bellingham is another man who keeps popping up as a United target. However, much like Rice, he too would cost well in excess of £80m.

Instead, Cole thinks United should look closer to home and a man playing less than 100 miles away down the M60.

That man, John McGinn, has reportedly been a player of interest at United for some time. And now Joe Cole has explained why the Aston Villa star is perfect for the Red Devils.

He thinks McGinn has not just the right professionalism – “he’s not on Instagram” – and can also cover what both Fred and Scott McTominay fail to do on a consistent basis.

“You look at that club and you constantly hear noises about this player is unhappy because the manager said this. Or this player’s unhappy because he’s been given time of here and he didn’t want it and all this,” Cole told BT Sport, as cited by the Daily Express.

Joe Cole hails star’s professionalism

“You just want lads like him [McGinn] through the door. First of all they have to be good enough and he’s certainly good enough as a footballer but that is so valuable for a manager in the current climate.

McGinn not for sale says Gerrard despite Dubai holiday with Rashford

Steven Gerrard says John McGinn is not for sale despite Manchester United links and holiday with United players

“You know you haven’t got to mollycoddle him, he’s going to come in and do his job. He’s not an Instagram footballer, he gets on with it and does his job.”

McGinn was in action on Wednesday night as part of a bonkers 3-3 draw with Leeds. You can see how he, and all the other players on display, rated here.

Gerrard dismissive of McGinn speculation

McGinn’s name popped up again recently as a United target when he was seen boarding a plane to Dubai with Harry Maguire and Marcus Rashford.

Villa boss Steven Gerrard, however, was quick to dismiss the speculation, insisting his side are not looking to sell.

“We are certainly not a club that is looking to sell. Our intention is to keep John McGinn here,” he said.

“We don’t want to be a selling club unless there is a situation, as with [Jack] Grealish [to Manchester City], which works itself out if you like.

“I want [McGinn] to remain a Villa player and we can’t be any clearer on that. We love the player, we love the human being and we want to help him.

“We certainly see it as a compliment when our best players, or any of our players, are linked with big moves away. I think it shows they are playing at a consistent level.”

McGinn is on a contract with Villa until summer 2025.

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