Five midfielders Man Utd could sign to replace ‘dummies’ and appease Ronaldo

MANCHESTER UNITED’S search for a midfielder will resume in the summer with Paul Pogba out of contract and question marks surrounding both Fred and Scott McTominay.

A presence in the middle of the park is a priority after Wales striker Dean Saunders claimed Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘playing with dummies’ at United.

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Declan Rice is a £100m rated target for Man UtdCredit: Reuters
Youri Tielemans is a £40m alternative

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Youri Tielemans is a £40m alternativeCredit: Alamy

Tuesday night’s disappointing 1-1 draw against Burnley again highlighted the need for reinforcements.

Manchester United were linked with RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara in January, but a move failed to ever materialise.

And more of the world’s hottest talents in the middle of the park continue to attract interest from the red side of Manchester.

Here SunSport take a look at just who the Red Devils could decide to make a move for come the summer.

Declan Rice

The West Ham and England star is rated at over £100m by Hammers boss David Moyes, but that hasn’t put off Man Utd and Chelsea.

Rice has been earmarked as a summer target to spearhead United’s midfield overhaul.

Although Rice admitting he was a boyhood Chelsea fan to United legend Gary Neville has dented hopes of luring him to Old Trafford.

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Youri Tielemans

Tielemans is a £40m alternative to Rice and has just entered the final 18 months of his Leicester contract.

It could force the Foxes into a sale sooner rather than later, in order to avoid losing the 24-year-old for nothing.

But there is competition for Tielemans too, with Arsenal also rumoured to be keen on his services.

Kalvin Phillips

Leeds midfielder Phillips has been continuously linked with Manchester United in recent months.

He was the subject of a failed £55m bid from West Ham in January, and in order to avoid missing out on the 26-year-old England star United may be tempted to table an offer come the summer.

However in another blow to United Phillips is reportedly happy to sign a new deal with Leeds off the back of West Ham’s approaches.

Phillips is a long-term target for United

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Phillips is a long-term target for UnitedCredit: Reuters

Jude Bellingham

Bellingham is one of the brightest talents in world football having impressed since joining Borussia Dortmund at just 17-years-old.

His performances have been equally impressive on the international stage too.

And after Mike Phelan urged United to sign Bellingham before he joined Dortmund, the club might not want to make the same mistake again.

Bellingham has also been linked with Liverpool

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Bellingham has also been linked with LiverpoolCredit: Getty

Amadou Haidara

Ralf Rangnick is a fan of Haidara, 24, and is claimed to have immediately identified him as a target upon arriving at Old Trafford.

His £32m release clause at RB Leipzig becomes active in the summer.

Leipzig had been willing to let him leave for more in January, but United reportedly held off in order to land him for cheaper at the end of the season.

Haidara's £32m release clause becomes active in the summer

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Haidara’s £32m release clause becomes active in the summerCredit: Getty

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