Many of Manchester United’s ongoing issues were clear to see in Thursday night’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea.
The visitors were thoroughly dominant for large periods of the game, especially in the first half and could have been out of sight by the break had David De Gea not been in inspired form.
Chelsea did finally find a way past De Gea early in the second half thanks to a sweetly struck Marco Alonso volley, however Cristiano Ronaldo again came to United’s rescue two minutes later with a thumping strike of his own to draw the game level.
Although the draw looked like a decent result on paper for United, the performances of both sides were very different. Chelsea dominated much of the ball and territory, while United were often penned into their own half, rarely able to establish prolonged periods in possession.
A big cause of their issues was down to the lack of technical quality they had in the middle of the pitch. On the night Ralf Rangnick lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot of Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay.
Both players are better destroyers than creators, meaning when United did win possession, they’d often skip the pass into the midfield and instead go direct. That point is captured by the fact that Cristiano Ronaldo was the target of more passes than any other United player (59). McTominay (30) and Matic (29) ranked fifth and sixth in this area on the night.
It was a complete contrast for Chelsea who’d often utilise midfielder Jorginho as a key cog in their build up play and only two Chelsea players were the target of passes more than the Italian on the night (66).
The problem United have in terms of lacking a midfield profile capable of orchestrating their build-up play is a big one, especially with Erik Ten Hag arriving in the summer and bringing with him a philosophy that’s heavily centred around possession.
United have made bringing in a new midfielder a priority this summer, though previously it was identifying one who was robust and athletic that was taking precedence, with the team at times looking too soft and easy to play through. However, it’s becoming apparent now that it’s just as important they sign one who can also improve them on the ball.
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There are very few midfielders who thrive on both sides of the game, however one player who does tick both those boxes is exciting Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni.
Although the Frenchman only broke into Monaco’s senior squad last season, his impact was almost instantaneous. He quickly became one of their most important players, making a standout 36 appearances across the course of his first campaign.
Tchouameni has continued in the same vein this season, shedding light on why so many top European clubs are tracking him.
For Monaco, he’ll usually play on the left side of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1 formation. His ability to read the game and sniff out danger are two of his most impressive traits and remarkably in terms of tackles and interceptions, there are only two players across the whole of Europe’s top five leagues who have made more this season (191).
Crucially though, the 22-year-old is also strong from a technical point of view. He’s averaged 56 passes per 90 this season, which is a number not too dissimilar to what United’s current midfielders average, though his success rate of 90 per cent eclipses each of theirs.
Tchouameni can also better each of United’s current crop of midfielders in terms of the number of progressive passes (8.1) and through passes (1.8) he’s made per 90, highlighting his ability to play penetrating balls through an opponent when the opportunities present themselves.
The Frenchman ticks many boxes, therefore news this week that Liverpool were eyeing up a move for him shouldn’t come as a shock. Yet they’re already well-stocked in the midfield department, meaning they may see Tchouameni as a prospect for the future. Sitting on the bench at this stage of his career might not appeal though.
United could offer him the chance to secure first-team football almost instantaneously given their issues, and this could play a decisive role in persuading Tchouameni to come to Old Trafford over other potential options.
