Why Manchester United will not sign a defensive midfielder this summer

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An insight into why Manchester United could end the 2022 summer transfer window without signing a proper defensive midfielder has been revealed.

For several seasons now it has been clear that Manchester United needed a no.6 to cover their backline, especially when facing the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

Nemanja Matic was their only natural defensive midfielder for several years, but the veteran has now left for AS Roma.

So, it seemed really obvious that a defensive midfielder would be on their way to Old Trafford this summer. However, that may not actually be the case.

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According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are prepared to go through the transfer window without signing an out-and-out defensive midfielder.

New United manager Erik ten Hag has identified Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong as integral to his plans and United Christian Eriksen to become their second signing.

It is added Ten Hag is so eager to sign De Jong, he is prepared to eschew a defensive-minded midfielder.

As a result, it is expected that United will instead simply operate with a deep-lying playmaker as their deepest central midfielder.

On this front, club sources have noted United have four deep-lying midfield options already in Scott McTominay, Fred, James Garner and Donny van de Beek.

On Garner specifically, who impressed on loan in the Championship last season and has since received high praise from many fans, Ten Hag is likely to decide at the end of United’s pre-season schedule whether to retain him or allow him to embark on a season-long loan with another Premier League club.

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