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Very few Manchester United players have escaped criticism this season. Many pundits and journalists have made the not so astute observation that United’s midfield has been well under par for most of the season, with Paul Pogba most often singled out as the serial offender.

However, much of that is due to the weight of expectation that was placed on the Frenchman’s shoulders upon his arrival. He has played well at times this season and hit a rich vein of form after the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Unlike Nemanja Matic, who like many other United signings in recent years has proved less than impressive, having failed to live up to his Chelsea performances which took them to the Premier League title in 2015 and 2017.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could target midfield as the main area of weakness in his squad, though by his own admission there are several changes he would like to make.

Mourinho believed similarly, leading him to make the multi-million-pound purchase of Fred last summer, but the Brazilian joined the long list of Ed Woodward signings that have failed to deliver.

However, the news that Tanguy Ndombele could be on his way to Old Trafford will be warmly welcomed by Ole and the fans. Although many big names and exciting signings in recent years have caused nothing but agony, this time it’s different.

For once, United are concentrating their efforts on a young prospect. Ndombele is only 22, yet made more than 40 appearances in a Lyon side which will finish third in Ligue 1 this year, eight of which came in the Champions League. By comparison, Matic’s best days are behind him, and a consistent criticism of him is that he is off the pace – both mentally and physically.

Ndombele is dynamic. He possesses all the traits which would allow him to excel in the Premier League: dynamism, athleticism, a real box to box midfielder who could only be chastised for a lack of goals, but this is a department where Matic is severely lacking also.

Judging by the stats, it is clear who Manchester United fans would prefer in their team. Ndombele blows away Matic in every department, both with the ball and without. The Frenchman has proved adept going forward this season, his 80 successful dribbles and 50 key passes have allowed him to produce seven assists in Ligue 1.

Matic, despite being eight years his senior, has not made any. Yes, he is playing in a more difficult league and his game centres on defence rather than attack, but that is an abysmal return from a man whom Mourinho once described as the best player he’s ever worked with.

Worse still, Ndombele exceeds Matic in terms of defensive performance also, making an average of two tackles per match compared Matic’s 1.8. Ndombele is young, hungry and energetic – all of which Matic is not.

Solskjaer has already proved he is not afraid to put his confidence in young players, with many United youth products given a chance in the first team since he took the reigns. Ndombele fits this perfectly and could follow in the footsteps of another midfield dynamo who made the move from Lyon to the Premier League at a similar age: Michael Essien.