Former Manchester United star identifies key quality that is missing in Erik ten Hag's squad

Former Manchester United ace Gordon Strachan believes the club is lacking a progressive ball carrier in midfield.

The construction of United's midfield has been a constant talking point over the last few years, with the club struggling to find a settled and preferred long-term system. They appeared to have cracked the code last term, building a successful midfield trio featuring Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro.

Both Eriksen and Casemiro joined the Reds in the 2022 summer transfer window and quickly established themselves as key figures within manager Erik ten Hag's plans, offering both control and defensive nouse. However, with them both turning 32 next month, United need younger legs in the engine room.

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The Reds recruited Mason Mount from Chelsea last summer, but he is yet to settle into any sort of rhythm because of a series of injury issues. Kobbie Mainoo has provided plenty of encouragement that he could become a long-term fixture in the engine room, providing energy and thrust.

And for Strachan, it is a progressive midfielder, who can get on the ball and get United up the pitch, that Ten Hag is currently missing from his arsenal.

"The problem with Manchester United is their midfield," said Strachan, as quoted by the Daily Star. "Good players in their own right - but there is no imagination there really.

"There is no one that can eliminate people in the middle of the park by carrying the ball through the lines."

In the eyes of the legendary Scot, who spent five years at United between 1984 and 1989, it is a recognised playmaker that the