Dembele to fill hole at heart of Man United?

Game one, Everton, Marouane Fellaini. Game two, Fulham, Moussa Dembele.

Surely Alex Ferguson will not expect to see the heart of the Manchester United midfield run-over by big, strapping attacking midfielders and still come away with points?

As the Red Devils still struggle to find the right shape to their play – thanks in no small part to poor displays from the likes of Ashley Young and Nani – what will worry the United faithful the most is the centre of the park.

Even the mighty Barcelona, with two of the best ball players in the attacking third – Xavi and Iniesta – have realised the need for a physical presence in midfield. Enter Alex Song.

While Shinji Kagawa and Tom Cleverley have all the Xavi-Iniesta promise that two pretenders can possibly muster, without Michael Carrick in midfield, the likes of Fellaini and Dembele will continue to overrun United.

Perhaps, it is time for Sir Alex to consider releasing Phil Jones into a holding midfield role with Carrick moving further upfront.

The United shape is clearly up for grabs and Jones in front of a back four that features Rafael, Johny Evans, Vidic and Patrice Evra is hardly as mystifying as playing Danny Welbeck on the left wing.

Against Everton and Fulham, United struggled to breakdown the opposition’s physical presence in the middle of the field and just outside their own ‘D’.

Against the likes of Yaya Toure one can only shudder to think what might happen.

Even Arsenal’s Abu Diaby might fancy his chances of overpowering United in the middle.

Sir Alex has closed the door on any more buys, though even the commentators at the Fulham game thought he should give Dembele a second look.

Failing that, Carrick remains the only hope.

And that is always a risky play.

Even riskier then benching Rooney.

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