Manchester United's alternative midfield transfer options to Jude Bellingham and Frenkie de Jong

It's destined to be yet another intriguing and potentially expensive summer for Manchester United.

Though Erik ten Hag has done an excellent job since taking charge of the club last summer, the limitations of the poorly constructed squad he inherited are beginning to show as United's season fizzles out. Several positions are in need of significant reinforcement with midfield being one of the most important.

United lack strength in depth and are considerably worse when Casemiro or Christian Eriksen are missing or playing below par but the club's ideal targets may be out of reach. Even if Jude Bellingham wasn't seemingly heading to Real Madrid, United would struggle to sign him ahead of Manchester City and Frenkie de Jong has made it abundantly clear that he wants to stay in Barcelona.

Also read: Garnacho could get a chance to respond to Ten Hag's challenge

So who should United bring in to reinforce their midfield? Our writers have had their say on some possible alternatives...

Samuel Luckhurst

Which midfielder United go for is such a loaded question. Frenkie de Jong would fit like a glove but he is not necessarily a realistic shout. De Jong didn't feel a realistic option in a summer United actually had a fee accepted for him.

Jude Bellingham seems destined to go to Real Madrid and you can hardly blame him when they already have Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. United were in for Camavinga two years ago but got wind he favoured a move to Spain. An erstwhile United scout did a presentation on why they should not sign Tchouameni. Little wonder he's gone.

Declan Rice has the skill set to spread his wings at a bigger club but Moises Caicedo may have a higher ceiling. It's United's problem they would have to pay