Where Is Our Spark In The Center Of The Park

Since before the season began, Manchester United supporters have been voicing their concerns about a lack of creativity in midfield. Despite still being atop the Premier League table, it has become increasingly apparent that this United squad is missing a very important ingredient in midfield.

Which Center Midfielder Will Step Up?

That's not to say that our current midfielders aren't good enough, just that none fit the role that we currently need. Each have certain qualities that add something important to our squad, but unfortunately none of them can play as the creative playmaker that our squad seems to so desperately be crying out for. They all have their own special way in which to contribute, and I honestly believe all of them still have a role to play at this club.

Paul Scholes is a still an incredible passer of the ball, but he is not getting any younger, and this may very well prove to be the final season of his career. Michael Carrick, once considered an excellent passer of the ball, has been shadow of his former self since the 2009 Champions League Final. Gone are the days of that 7-1 romp of Roma, a time when Carrick was creating chances regularly and even sometimes scoring goals. His passing statistics are still admirable, but he is now deployed in a deeper role to break up the opposition's play. We all know Darren Fletcher is a top player; many would argue that 2009 Champions League Final would've ended differently had he not been unjustly suspended. However, he has struggled with his performances this season, and even while in form he's not exactly the creative type. Fletcher is full of energy, the engine in our midfield, often breaking up play and pushing the team forward. However, he's not the type to run at defenders or unlock a defense with his passing. Then there is Anderson. The Brazilian provides glimpses of what could be a fantastic playmaker with his energy and ability to run at a defense. He arrived at Old Trafford an attacking midfielder, but two goals in almost four seasons is not reassuring. Also, as much as I love Anderson, he has failed to find consistency, mostly due to injuries preventing him from getting a good run in the squad. Some people will think I'm losing my mind on this next one, but I see some value in Darron Gibson. And that's not just his occasional long-range screamer. If he could just get a consistent run in the team, I really do think he could come good. There were glimpses of a good passer against Crawley Town, but he has yet to prove that against Premier League opposition. If he could just add another dimension to his game, I believe Gibson could find a place at this club. I'd love to give mention to Owen Hargreaves, but just can't. Despite being a fantastic midfielder and one of my favorites, we have to look to the future and I sadly worry his injuries will mean he won't be a part of that.

We are top of the league though; is having a creative playmaker really a "must have" to succeed? Did Cristiano Ronaldo spoil Manchester United fans? The biggest complaint with this current United squad seems to be that there is a lack of creativity. With Ronaldo, United had creativity in abundance from midfield. He could score, he could create, he could do it all from the wing. Nani has begun to fill his shoes, although he still lacks a bit of consistency. After Ronaldo's departure, it comes as no shock that United fans would struggle to adjust to losing the creativity and flair that went to Madrid with the Portuguese winger.

As United always does when a big name leaves, they rebuilt. Sir Alex has put more of an emphasis on wingers creating from wide positions now. The purchase of Antonio Valencia personifies this change in tactics. Brought in to replace Ronaldo, Valencia is the type of player who hugs the byline, beats full backs with his pace and then whips in deadly crosses. We saw what a threat he was last season creating opportunities for an in-form Wayne Rooney. Having the threat of Nani and Valencia on the wings does not address the lack of an attacking threat from the central midfield positions though.

However, while we are top of the league, I think that we still need that spark in midfield. I do think it is a "must have" to succeed, especially to live up to the standards of Manchester United. We are still in pole position to win a record 19th League title. For as much as we have slipped up this season, our rivals have fortunately slipped up more than us. Sadly, I do not think this squad can adequately compete in Europe. We may make a run to the quarter-finals or semi-finals, but our lack of creativity will likely catch up with us there.
So how do we fill this creative playmaker role that we seem to lack? The general consensus seems to be that Sir Alex will buy this summer. He confirmed himself that he made a move in January, so I would assume he sees something out there that will improve our team. I'm not going to claim that I know who the answer is. That's something I'll leave to Sir Alex, as he almost always seems to be right.

A few names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and there have been quite a few names tossed around amongst United fans about who they want. Wesley Sneijder and Bastian Schweinsteiger almost go without saying, but I just can't ever see either of those happening given their long-term contracts at Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. Even if we could get them, I'm not sure I'd want them. This isn't the FIFA video game, it's not about signing the best player, but finding the right fit (see Real Madrid for what not to do). But who am I to say they wouldn't adequately fit? I do believe that Luka Modric would be a great fit though. He can create from midfield and is already proven in the Premier League. However, Tottenham would inevitably hold us ransom as they did with Dimitar Berbatov. Jordan Henderson is another good shout, although still being so young he could prove a risk. He's showing the signs of a good player, but hardly a great player just yet. And those are just a few of the hundreds of names we've been linked with. In the end though, all of those names are nothing more than speculation.

Another thought to consider is that our manager is the same man who proved wrong Alan Hansen's "You'll never win anything with kids". Ravel Morrison seems an exciting prospect, assuming he can get his act together off the pitch. Morrison can play anywhere across midfield, and he may very well prove to be an exciting option as a central playmaker. Not only can he create, he's got a good goalscoring record as well, and goals are something we've sadly missed from our central midfielders this season. And lest we forget Tom Cleverley who is currently on loan at Wigan. Cleverley looks like a star in the making, and he has done well with Wigan, so that is another option Sir Alex may have at his disposal. He nearly stayed at Old Trafford this season, and I expect that he'll be deemed ready for the first team in 2011-12. The one drawback to that is that Cleverley's future looks as likely to be on the wings as it does to be in the center. If that's the case then we are still left without a genuine attacking threat from the central midfield position.

Ultimately, who knows what awaits Manchester United at the conclusion of this season? Despite two losses from our past two fixtures, I still think we are favorites to win the Premier League. We may lift the trophy come May, knocking Liverpool completely from their perch in the process, but then the work begins for next season. All of our current midfielders should still have a role to play in the coming season, Fletcher and Carrick's recent new deals confirm that, but we still need that attacking presence. I am all about supporting our current players, but I also recognize that we must acknowledge the lack of a playmaker in this squad. Right now, it all seems to be about finding the player who can provide that spark in the center of the park.