Ruben Amorim is currently rebuilding Manchester United’s squad ahead of the 2025/26 season and has so far brought in Diego Leon, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Softfootball monitored the Red Devils first pre-season match against newly promoted Premier League side, Leeds United and it ended goalless. One major problem was noticed and that is the fact that Amorim hasn’t found a solution for the central midfield.
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has criticised the club’s lack of a true deep-lying playmaker (DLP) since Michael Carrick, pointing out a tactical flaw in Rúben Amorim’s current setup.
As shared via a X account, he said:
“Since Carrick, United haven’t had a proper DLP. Amorim’s system begs for one. Too often defenders are on the ball, but midfielders hide. You need a Vitinha/Kroos type who connects play and runs the tempo like a playlist”
Watch the video of the midfield maestro, Michael Carrick below:
🚨 | Dwight Yorke on Man United
“Since Carrick, United haven’t had a proper DLP. Amorim’s system begs for one. Too often defenders are on the ball, but midfielders hide. You need a Vitinha/Kroos type who connects play and runs the tempo like a playlist" pic.twitter.com/SgxLb1mPgJ
— Chino (@ChinoUTD) July 20, 2025The pivot position is one of the most important in modern football because it helps dictate the flow and pace of the match. Most clubs even make it a double pivot especially in the premier league. Chelsea spent a combined fee of £220 million to land Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caceido to fix their central midfield.
At Liverpool, it’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch that anchored their midfield into a Premier League title last season. Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali held it down for Newcastle United.
At Arsenal, it was Declan Rice and Thomas Partey last season and at Manchester City Rodri must always be involved alongside Kevin de Bruyne or Bernardo Silva.
All the above are press resistance, cover the pitch well, ball carriers, merchants of forward passes and sometimes join in among the goals. They are also comfortable to play in tight spaces and not lose the ball due to any form of pressure.
At Manchester United it’s not the same as the midfielders in that position hides from even going to take a pass from the defenders. It was evident against Leeds in the Red Devils first pre-season game which ended goalless.
The midfield was anchored in the first 45 minutes by Toby Collyer and Casemiro and it was problematic because they were run through easily and when they had the ball, they couldn’t make good forward passes or run with the ball to break the opponents line of defense.
Amorim has tried different combinations for that position for that midfield role. The 20-time Premier League champions lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur playing Bruno Fernandez and Casemiro in that position which didn’t work.
Amorim’s men finished 15th in the premier league last season and are hoping to do better but must find a solution for their central midfield otherwise nothing would change.
Where do Man United find a solid ball carrier?
Interestingly, Amorim has said he needs a new midfielder ahead of the new season. Right now, the Red Devils are focused on buying a new strike after the arrival of Cunha and Mbeumo.
But while the likes of £100m-rated Adam Wharton is being targeted by the club. Amorim can find a simple solution from his current team and it would be a long time fix.
Sekou Kone, 19, is the perfect player to be used in that role. The midfielder arrived at Old Trafford last season and has been with the reserve team. He is one of the standout performers and that earned him a call to the first team.
At the end of the Premier League season, he featured for Amorim in the friendly against the Hong Kong selected side and excelled despite having only a cameo. He was set to go on loan this summer but Amorim blocked it.
During the Leeds friendly in Stockholm, Amorim was expected to give Kone some minutes but he incredibly somehow didn’t. The Portuguese manager travelled with 29 players and used 24 players in that game yet didn’t bring on Kone.
Who should Kone play with in midfield?
Kone is press resistant and a good passer of the ball. He got pace and can dribble out of tight situations. His only weakness is that he is lightweight and may need to bulk up to be able to face the physicality of the Premier League and that would mean more time in the gym.
The perfect partnership for the Manchester United midfield would be Kone and Manual Ugarte. The Uruguayan is a strong tackle and has the engine to cover enough grounds. He is not a good passer like Kone but they can complement each other’s game very well.
Which other options can Man United go for?
If Amorim is skeptical about the inexperience of Sekou Kone. Wharton is 21 and has Premier League experience but he is very expensive at £100 million and Manchester United may not be able to do business with Crystal Palace for his services.
One player that can definitely help Manchester United midfield is Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, another 21-year-old. He is physically strong, press resistant and a perfect ball carrier. He also packs a powerful shot and a great asset to any team.
Manchester United will need to fix the midfield problem before their first match of the 2025/26 Premier League season against Arsenal.
