Manchester United have two transfer windows to complete their dream midfield

It must be particularly galling to be a central midfielder in one of Europe's elite leagues at the moment and not to have been linked with a transfer to Manchester United.

Old Trafford officials have long been aware their name is used in vain throughout transfer windows, to drum up interest elsewhere or force a hand over contract negotiations, but when it comes to midfield the battle to separate truth from fiction hasn't been easy.

In what was an otherwise successful window last summer, it was midfielders who were still being linked with United as the clock ticked down to deadline day, despite the insistence from those close to the situation that business was done.

That failure to strengthen has proved costly and Ralf Rangnick identified as the one area he would like surgery on this month, but again United look like keeping their wallet stored away mid-season.

But from Saul Niguez to Amadou Haidara, Denis Zakaria to Frank Kessie, Boubacar Kamara to Yves Bissouma and Nico Barella to Marcelo Brozovic, a whos who of European midfielders have all been linked with a move to United.

None of them will be arriving before Monday. In fact, departures are more likely. Jesse Lingard could join Newcastle United on loan and Donny van de Beek might be off to Crystal Palace.

It does feel like United's midfield is about to undergo major change. Lingard will leave permanently this summer, as will Juan Mata. Both can play in the forward line or contribute as number eights. Paul Pogba is also expected to depart and the summer of 2023 might be time for Nemanja Matic's farewell.

So it's unlikely one major midfield signing will be enough. It's an area of the pitch that needs more than a sticking plaster, which is why there is no desire at Old