No Fernandes and solution to CDM problem: How Man United could lineup with two new signings

Manchester United are failed to complete their senior squad despite having already played their first game of the new 2022-23 season.

The Red Devils, coached by Dutch manager Erik ten Hag, were defeated 2-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion in their debut league encounter.

Although there was renewed optimism that United could get off to a flying start after making three new summer recruits, Graham Potter’s Seagulls revealed the team’s lack of togetherness.

Despite having issues over the entirety of the pitch, the 20-time league winner’s weakest point is definitely in midfield – defensive midfield to be specific.

Following Sunday’s dreadful performance and defeat, which saw Fred and Scott McTominay start in their usual number six and number eight positions, ten Hag has been quick to return to the transfer market in search of at least one new midfield player.

Adrien Rabiot of Juventus is a prominent prospect to leave Turin and join Manchester United (The Athletic), but another player who has suddenly emerged as a top target is Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Telegraph).

Following these links, we’ve put together a side that ten Hag might line up with if both players wind up at Old Trafford.

Given how awful attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been recent, it would not be fair to include him at the cost of other players, thus we have demoted the Portugal international to the bench for the time being.

In other news, Lisandro Martinez has been shifted from center-back to defensive midfield due to United’s need for a midfielder capable of screening in front of the back four.

The tenacious South American is versatile and has played as a central defensive midfielder (CDM) numerous times, so it’s not like he couldn’t handle the job if his manager asked him to.

Rabiot and Milinkovic-Savic are both center midfielders by trade, but the latter is used to playing in a little more advanced role – the duo might work well together to offer the Red Devils a lot greater balance.