Manchester United might be one simple step away from their perfect midfield

You could be forgiven for incorrectly identifying which midfield axis cost £222 million on Wednesday night.

Manchester United's victory over Chelsea was just about as comfortable as things have been in the Premier League this season, though neither club can be considered a scalp anymore.

United know the real tests will come next week when they face Bayern Munich and Liverpool, two of the best teams in the world. Now they would be scalps.

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Another victory against Bournemouth this weekend would help build further confidence ahead of that massive double-header and it is hard to see Erik ten Hag making many changes from the side that eased past Chelsea.

United were much better for dropping Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, but the biggest positive came in midfield, where they were much closer to the balance that has been missing all season.

Even though he saw a penalty saved, Bruno Fernandes was a constant creative threat and the beating heart of the team. Scott McTominay continued his fine form with another clinical brace and Sofyan Amrabat put in his best defensive display for the club yet.

There are still a few issues that need ironing out, but that could be the blueprint from which to build a midfield that has both defensive strength and plenty of attacking threat.

Ten Hag has wished for consistency all season, believing that having a largely settled side will be the key to finding the momentum required to build confidence, surge up the table and allow them to implement a clear style of play.

United's midfield can offer just that. Amrabat was signed as a Casemiro alternative and is finally starting