Manchester United have been presented with what could be their ideal midfield solution, with Chelsea icon Pat Nevin strongly advocating for a move for Atletico Madrid's Conor Gallagher. The former Scotland winger believes the England international would not only strengthen the squad but also provide crucial support for captain Bruno Fernandes.
The Perfect Midfield Dynamo
According to Nevin, speaking exclusively to CasinoHawks, Gallagher's versatility and remarkable energy levels make him perfectly suited to address United's longstanding midfield issues. "I think Conor Gallagher would be great at Man Utd, in my opinion," Nevin stated. "Gallagher can play a number of positions."
He elaborated that Gallagher could excel in a 3-4-2-1 formation, particularly in the central midfield roles. More importantly, his presence could be transformative for United's talisman. "If you put him in one of the two more holding positions with his energy, his battling, it kind of frees Bruno Fernandes a wee bit to go a bit further forward," Nevin explained, noting that Fernandes has recently been forced into deeper, more defensive roles.
A Cost-Effective Alternative
This endorsement comes at a crucial time in United's transfer planning. The Red Devils have identified Brighton's Carlos Baleba as their primary midfield target, but the Seagulls' staggering £100million valuation presents a significant obstacle.
In contrast, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo suggests that Atletico Madrid would consider offers around £52 million for Gallagher, representing potential substantial savings for Ruben Amorim's squad. The 26-year-old only moved to Madrid 18 months ago after Enzo Maresca decided he wouldn't be a consistent starter at Chelsea.
Addressing United's Core Problem
Nvin pinpointed exactly why Gallagher represents such an attractive proposition for the Old Trafford club. "The energy levels that Connor's got would be perfect," he said, before questioning the previous sale of Scott McTominay.
He didn't stop there, highlighting Gallagher's pressing ability as world-class. "If you actually have to play him one further forward, there are very few in the game that are better in a high-pressing game. There are very few in football that can do better than him."
The former winger directly addressed what he sees as United's fundamental weakness. "If Manchester United have had a problem for quite some time, one of the biggest problems they've had is energy in midfield." He contrasted this with the current options, noting that while Casemiro and Christian Eriksen were "fantastic world-class players," they "didn't have legs by the end," a particular issue with the demanding schedule of three games per week.
Gallagher's career path shows a player built for the Premier League's rigours. A Chelsea academy graduate since the age of six, he honed his skills through loan spells at Charlton Athletic, Swansea City, West Brom, and Crystal Palace before establishing himself in the Blues' first team. Now, after a single season in Spain, a return to English football appears increasingly likely, with Manchester United potentially offering the perfect destination.
