The midfielder who could be the answer to Manchester United's midfield problems

Manchester United’s midfield is in tatters. After a week that has seen the Old Trafford outfit lose at home to both Everton and Newcastle United it has become even more apparent. David Moyes must strengthen in January, as he tried, and failed to do in the summer.

One player who could be up to the task is Inter Milan player and Colombian international, Fredy Guarin, a player David Moyes is reported to be interested in, according to the Mirror.

Guarin started his career at Envigado in his homeland before a loan spell at Boca Juniors in Argentina. He moved to Europe, initially on loan, to France with St Etienne before joining Porto where, in around four years, he won three Portuguese league titles and a Europa League before joining Inter in 2012. This shows he has pedigree and the ability to play on the biggest stage.

He has been ever present in Serie A for Inter this season and has earned a Squawka Performance Score of 281. In Manchester United’s midfield, only Michael Carrick, with 327, has more. Tom Cleverley, Marouane Fellaini, Ryan Giggs and Anderson do not even come close. Cleverley is closest of that bunch and is 148 Performance Score points behind his Serie A based counterpart.

What does this mean though? And what exactly does he offer than United’s current crop of midfielders currently do? For a start his tackling is better. Guarin wins 53% of tackles. Carrick, United’s best midfielder this season, wins just 43%. Cleverley is successful in 49% while Fellaini just 44%. Guarin would provide the grit and steel United’s midfield is clearly lacking.

Guarin also averages over one interception per game, making 15 in Serie A in 14 matches. Carrick has made 40, but Fellaini has made just one more, 16. So while Guarin’s interception statistics are not better than those at United, they are commendable.

What may count against the World Cup bound Colombian is his passing. His pass completion is as low as 72%, which admittedly is very poor for a top level midfielder and is far short of the regulars in United’s midfield, with the lowest pass completion coming from Ryan Giggs at 80%.

However, the amount of key passes he makes, especially from such a low overall pass completion, is impressive. He has made 20 key passes this season, eight more, at least, than any United midfielder. From those key passes, he has made three assists. Guarin’s successful passes are certainly productive.

In addition Guarin also wins 56% of take ons, 55% of headers and has scored three goals from his central midfield role. These statistics only add to the picture created of Guarin being an all-round midfielder.

There is no doubt that Fredy Guarin would improve what is currently a pretty dismal Manchester United midfield. He has the ability to tackle and win the ball, which has been severely lacking as David Moyes’ team fail to impose themselves on many of their opponents.

Those in charge of negotiating transfers at Old Trafford must up their game though or he could soon be causing problems for United rather than for their opponents.