3 Manchester United Midfield Set-Ups That Erik Ten Hag Could Use Next Season

The Manchester United engine room has been an area of concern for the club in recent seasons, Erik ten Hag could have a number of ideas in order to restore a strong midfield operation at Old Trafford.

With the signing of Christian Eriksen, it brings more possibilities for different shapes, and/or personnel in the middle.

An additional acquisition should be expected at United following the departures of both Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic at the end of last month.

That very well could be Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong, who United have chased for the entire summer. The Dutchman is Ten Hag's primary target, and could eventually end up at the Theatre of Dreams if his wage problem at the Catalan club is resolved.

With Donny van de Beek also returning to the club, Ten Hag will have a number of options that he can use in the centre of the park.

#1: Controlling the game

This could be a possible line-up seen at Old Trafford next season. With Ten Hag wanting to control fixtures against opposition, he will want his midfield trio to be able to control the tempo.

Eriksen could be seen in a slightly deeper position, as he did at times during his Brentford spell last season, alongside a pivot partner. Or he could also play in his more familiar number ten role.

His role in the pivot would likely depend on if the signing of Frenkie de Jong can be secured. If not, the possibility of the Denmark international starting deeper would be more probable.

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The new signing has shown that he can dictate play from a slightly deeper area than he operated in during his previous Premier League journey with Tottenham Hotspur, and his partner would probably be the Brazilian Fred. Who shown whilst Ralf Rangnick was in charge last season that he can be a really solid passer of the ball, however, having De Jong alongside him would be an upgrade on Eriksen; who could then come from the bench, or operate either as the no.10/right-winger.

If that was to happen, Fred would move across to the right side of the middle, as the 25-year-old midfielder flourishes from the left.

However, if United have the majority of possession, Bruno Fernandes' inclusion as the player in the hole will be Ten Hag's best option, especially if he can continue to adapt to the playstyle he is asked to.

LCM: Fred | RCM: Eriksen | AM: Bruno OR LCM: De Jong | RCM: Fred | AM: Bruno

#3: Big game potential or Ol' reliable

During the beginning of Ten Hag's tenure, it will be interesting to see how he approaches big games.

With it being his opening campaign with the Reds, he could choose to go toe-to-toe with the best of the best, or take a different approach as he continues to develop his team to challenge at the top of the table.

There are two possible big game midfields that he could operate with. One depends on the crucial signing of De Jong, though.

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With the Dutchman, Ten Hag could look to surround him with legs in the middle. It would allow him to keep the centre-piece of his tactical framework, while also having enough power and protection in the middle to attempt to limit the opposition when out of possession.

Having De Jong as the deepest midfielder while in possession could work well as he is extremely press resistant and would start attacks with his carrying or passing abilities.

Meanwhile, he would either Fred or Scott McTominay ready to fill into his position when he drifts. Both of those players would also drop into a compact midfield when out of possession, as De Jong is not known for his defensive abilities.

This could potentially be partnered by a number ten, making it a diamond, or a front three to stretch the opposition backline.

However, if this signing is not made, then it is likely that Ten Hag will take the approach that his predecessors took in previous campaigns with Fred and McTominay as the pivot pairing.

The two are not very well liked as a partnership by the United fanbase for obvious reasons, and although United's big game approach was poor last season, it has shown to work in the past.

This was the pairing that the manager used as United faced Liverpool in pre-season, and it could possibly be an option in the bigger games if Ten Hag wants security until he is satisfied with the level the team is playing at.

Ahead of them could be any of the three attacking midfielders at Ten Hag's disposal, with the most in-form at the time probably having the best chance.

LCM: Fred | DM: De Jong | RCM: McTominay OR LCM: Fred | RCM: McTominay | AM: Eriksen/Donny/Bruno

#3: Wildcard option

Finally, we have a wildcard option in the middle of the park. With many worried about the lack of a pure and true 'defensive midfield' signing, the previous two suggested midfields do not use that type of player.

Neither McTominay or Fred are real defensive midfielders, but there could be a better stop-gap option coming into the squad this summer.

Lisandro Martinez will be announced in the next days as a Manchester United player, and whilst he is considered as a central defender, he has also previously worked under Ten Hag as a defensive midfielder at Ajax.

The manager has said positive and negative things about the Argentine as a midfielder, but with the likelihood being that United do not sign a defensive midfielder this summer, he could operate in the position at times next season.

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Mostly, he will operate in the defence to compete with Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf and Raphael Varane. But, there could be occasions where he is tasked to move forward and use his on-ball abilities and tenacious approach in the engine room.

Next to him would, again, likely be Fred. Who would move to the right as similarly to De Jong, Martinez excels from the left and Fred has previously shown that he can work from the right.

It would probably be Bruno in front of the pairing, but with competition from Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen, this could depend on the opposition, and the form of the attacking midfielders.

LCM: Martinez | RCM: Fred | AM: Bruno/Donny/Eriksen