Manchester United are forgetting the transfer priority everyone has known about for years

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Window after window Manchester United go in with the intention of finally fixing long-term troubled positions but then get distracted by the stylish, more exciting option. The same thing looks to be happening once again under Erik ten Hag, with the manager seemingly wanting to strengthen in every position other than the one that is needed the most: defensive-midfield.

United went into the summer with the intention of finally signing the dedicated holding midfielder that they have been missing for years, a need which was made even more pertinent following Nemanja Matic's departure. Though Fred and Scott McTominay both have positive traits, neither are disciplined or defensively astute enough to shield a defence which has been in dire need of protection.

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An ageing Matic was past his peak anyway, but his exit has left United without a player capable of doing the dirty work in the middle. Not signing a defensive midfielder in recent years has repeatedly proven costly and it looked as though that would at least be addressed this time around.

As it was accepted that a move for Declan Rice was a non-starter, Kalvin Phillips was identified as an early top target but Leeds United's Premier League survival and Manchester City's interest have all but scuppered that. Others were touted but went elsewhere. Aurelian Tchouameni joined Real Madrid, Vitinha is closing in on Paris Saint-Germain and since then it's all gone quiet on the defensive-midfielder front.

In fact, Ten Hag doesn't appear to be targeting one at all. MEN Sport reported on Monday that the new boss is targeting at least five