Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Danny Murphy believes that Manchester United need to sign Harry Winks and Declan Rice if they are to take the steps to regain their former success of yesterday.
United suffered their first defeat under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after losing 2-0 to PSG in midweek, which ended a run of nine matches without defeat.
Murphy highlighted the fact that the Old Trafford outfit are missing a player in Michael Carrick’s style who can control the tempo of the match from the middle of midfield, something which Harry Winks has done well for Spurs this season.
Winks has grown into the role after making the most of the opportunity following the departure of Mousa Dembele, along with Eric Dier and Victor Wanyma both missing considerable game time.
West Ham United’s Rice is another player who Spurs have been linked with in recent weeks, despite having signed a new long-term contract with the Hammers in December (Express).
It would certainly take a monumental offer for Spurs to even consider parting company with boyhood fan, Winks.
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Murphy wrote in his column for the Daily Mail: “I watched the PSG game with interest and there was one glaring weakness with United. They don’t have anyone in midfield who can dictate the tempo as Michael Carrick used to.
“PSG did have that player, Marco Verratti, on Tuesday night. I’ve been a big fan of his for years and he showed what United are desperately crying out for.
“He’s so clever on the ball. He can slow the game down, or speed it up, according to his team’s need.
“Nemanja Matic does the destructive side of the midfield job very well but he’s no Carrick — or even Fernandinho, who is so important for Manchester City.
“Yes, Paul Pogba could do it, but why would you want to restrict him as a holding midfielder when he can cause problems in the final third?
“At the moment, they are using Matic and Ander Herrera together in order to give Pogba freedom in a 4-3-3, but they are not as well-balanced a pair as Verratti-Marquinhos were for PSG.
“The right players aren’t easy to find. The next generation are showing promise and I’ll keep a close eye on Harry Winks and Declan Rice.
“They both look like they have the technical ability and Winks is getting useful experience in big games. Is Rice a future Manchester United player? He’s physically strong and only just turned 20, so let’s see. “
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