A Viable Option For United's Creative Midfield Dilemma

With a lot of noise about the problems in center midfield at Manchester United, and questions about Tom Cleverley's availability, Sir Alex Ferguson does have a few players, who could be deployed in that creative role, if need be.

Nani could shift central, if need be

Two players, Ji-Sung Park and Ryan Giggs, have already assumed that role in the past for the Reds, but there's another attack-minded player, who could very easily slot into that attack-minded position - and nobody has thought to mention it before.

By some of the United players' own admission, Nani is the most skillful player that has ever been at the club, and, with that, he has ability to create things from nothing with either a defense-splitting pass, or add some much-needed quickness through the middle, and, believe it or not, he can also help out, defensively.

People are probably scratching their heads in complete disbelief to ever think that Nani has any sort of steel in their repertoire, which isn't far off, but he has, however, showed that he can over compensate that with his speed and poking the ball away from an opponent. If you re-watch the game against Norwich City, Nani was seen hustling back after he, or one of his teammates, needlessly gave the ball away.

Nani has already been given a free-roaming role by Sir Alex, similar to the one that Cristiano Ronaldo had, by changing wings or popping up through the middle. This is to cause the opposing defense match-up problems and force the defenders to keep notice as to where is at all times, which, in turn, creates more gaps for his fellow teammates to run into.

Nani is a truly gifted two-footed creative player, which is something that makes him so dangerous no matter where he is on the field. Because he wants to influence the outcome of the game, Nani never stops moving, which really makes an easier outlet than one of the more static midfielders for the holding midfielder to find.

You do lose by doing this is Nani beating a full-back with his trickery and speed, but it also opens up a place for Antonio Valencia or Ji-Sung Park to be another attacking threat on the right flank, as well.

If Tom Cleverley isn’t fit enough to play, just imagine Jamie Carragher or Jordan Henderson trying to defend Nani –legally – in Manchester United's next game against Liverpool.