Man Utd have major ‘regret’ over failure to sign midfielder they misjudged

Manchester United “regret” missing the opportunity to sign a former Premier League midfielder they thought they had a chance of luring in the summer, according to reports.

Midfield remains an area of concern for Man Utd after they failed to strengthen it in the summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has often favoured a double pivot featuring Scott McTominay and Fred. But neither are natural defensive midfielders. Therefore, someone could be brought in to provide more balance.

The only genuine holding midfielder United have at their disposal is Nemanja Matic, who is 33 years old. He does not play regularly for the club any more, so a new signing may be required.

United are aware of this and began planning a transfer in the summer to ease their concerns. According to the Daily Mail, they explored a deal for PSG star Idrissa Gueye, who previously played in the Premier League for Aston Villa and Everton.

Gueye was believed to be a target for United before he left Everton for PSG in 2019. They were looking to replace Ander Herrera at the time after his own move to Paris. Instead, Gueye joined him in the French capital, where he has since played 88 times.

But United felt his gametime may reduce this season after they saw PSG sign Georginio Wijnaldum from Liverpool. Therefore, there was an opportunity to lure Gueye back to the Premier League.

Recruitment negotiator Matt Judge identified Gueye, 32, as a cheaper alternative to Declan Rice. It led to several discussions about the idea of signing him.

What stood in the way of a deal, though, was United’s failure to offload Matic, Jesse Lingard or Paul Pogba to make room for him.

The Mail claim United “regret” this decision and feel they do not have enough protection in front of the defence as a result.

They will have to rectify it in a future transfer window, but their optimism of taking Gueye may have been misplaced anyway. Despite PSG’s influx of new arrivals, he has played in 10 games for them so far this season and has scored four goals.

The Senegal international remains under contract at Parc Des Princes until 2023.

Man Utd midfielder exit likely

United’s need for a new midfielder will only increase if they do move on some of their fringe players.

Pogba is out of contract at the end of the season and there seems to be a growing acceptance that they will lose him for free for a second time in his career.

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Another midfielder facing a future away from Old Trafford is Donny van de Beek. The Dutchman joined from Ajax last summer but has rarely been a starter under Solskjaer.

Some of his teammates are surprised at his treatment by the manager, it is believed. It seems in the best interests of all parties, though, to separate.

According to AS, van de Beek is still in line for a January transfer to Barcelona despite their dismissal of his former Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman.

In making the move, he would reunite with a former teammate for club and country, Frenkie De Jong. He now shares an agent with the Barca midfield star after a recent switch, presumably designed to help him find a new club.

Solskjaer seemingly wouldn’t miss van de Beek too much, even if reports have suggested he’d want him to stay until the end of the season.

United could thus take the opportunity to replace him with a more defensive player and one that Solskjaer trusts more.

READ MORE: Man Utd multiply transfer plan as teammate of top target returns to shortlist