Should Manchester United target Italian midfield maestro Riccardo Montolivo?

Riccardo Montolivo

David Moyes’ Manchester United have seemingly recovered from their poor early season form to haul themselves back into the title race with three wins on the trot.

But their weaknesses have already been exposed and exploited by a few opportunistic sides, demonstrating United’s lack of midfield strength.

£26 million summer signing Marouane Fellaini has struggled to settle into life at Old Trafford while Tom Cleverley continues to deliver sub-par performances.

Anderson barely features at all, and Ryan Giggs is ageing, so the question arises of who should United play alongside the superb Michael Carrick and reinforce their title challenge.

Step forward AC Milan’s Riccardo Montolivo.

The Italian would be a fine addition to the Red Devils midfield and complement Carrick’s range of passing, forming a duo that could potentially control the tempo with ease.

Montolivo has a very respectable 86 per cent pass accuracy rate so far in Serie A this season, with 10 key passes and two assists in nine games.

The Milan star’s average duels percentages may be on the poor side, but the midfielder’s game is all about neat passing triangles and splitting open defences with a flick of his boot.

Montolivo also offers a decent goal threat from midfield, averaging more than a shot per game with a 55 per cent accuracy rate, although he has yet to score this term.

Average shot accuracy

The Azzurri star could slot in at a more advanced role than Carrick, yet offering the midfield solidity and retaining the ball well at the same time.

Combined with a playmaker such as Shinji Kagawa or a more withdrawn role for Wayne Rooney, Moyes could resolve his midfield issues in a single stroke by signing the AC Milan star.

Snapping up Montolivo could well be one of the smartest decisions Moyes could make, and an opportunity to stamp his authority on the team left behind by Sir Alex Ferguson.