United could swoop for Real Madrid midfielder

Manchester United have a midfield problem, and even José Mourinho admits it. As good as Paul Pogba may be, it’s unwise to expect him to run things single-handedly in the centre of the park. And with Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick both seemingly on their way out of Old Trafford in the summer, it’s a problem of depth as much as quality.

One potential arrival is Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovačić, who has struggled to break into Zinedine Zidane’s starting lineup. The Croatian international — who made the move to Madrid from Inter Milan three seasons ago — has been handed just one La Liga start so far this season, and Spanish newspaper AS suggest he could be open to a move to Manchester.

Still only 23, Kovačić would probably prove a very good signing. He’s a good all-rounder, matching the creativity of a playmaker with the the energy and physicality required of a box-to-box workhorse. He shouldn’t have any problems adapting to life in the Premier League. The only problem is that United aren’t the only interested party, and would reportedly have to fend off interest from Juventus, Inter and Tottenham Hotspur to secure Kovačić’s signature.

Still, watch this space: this rumour does make some sense.