Paul Ince names two African stars who could improve Manchester United

The former Red Devils man has shortlisted three players who could solve the club’s need for a specialist holding midfielder.

Paul Ince rates Malian Yves Bissouma of Brighton and Leicester City’s Nigerian star Wilfred Ndidi as capable of improving the Manchester United midfield alongside Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Three wins in the last eight games across all competitions have left United on the back foot. The midfield, in particular, has been a problem area all season. Much to the despair of many fans, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has continued to rely on Scott McTominay and Fred as his two holding midfielders.

“We still haven’t got that natural holding initial player who can get around the park, someone like Bissouma at Brighton, and Ndidi at Leicester, top players. These are players who know how to play the position,” Ince told Genting Casino.

“I watched a corner for Everton against Manchester United, I was thinking, ‘Jesus Christ, he was actually running the midfield Doucoure’.

“I sat there and I’m thinking, he actually run the show, he was up and down on his legs he was getting forward, he was getting back, that’s what United need – not these players who just sit there and hold, and pass it back and forth, you know, look great, that’s what happens.

“So, the midfield has got to be right, and I think sometimes the balance has been wrong and that’s been happening for the last two, three, four years.”

After a dramatic 3-2 Champions League comeback win over Atalanta midweek, United face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.