Manchester United may finally be edging towards a central midfield to be proud of.

For years after Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs retired, the United midfield was area of weakness, aside from Michael Carrick who is now helping players like Fred as a coach at Old Trafford. But with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the trail of Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, after the January signing of Bruno Fernandes, the United midfield could soon look as strong as any in the Premier League – Paul Pogba or not.

Below MEN Sport ranks all United’s current central midfield players, attacking and defensive, from worst down to best. (We haven’t included James Garner or Angel Gomes, as both have been peripheral in the past season.)

6. Andreas Pereira

When Solskjaer admitted that Pereira and Scott McTominay would combine to ‘replace’ the outgoing Ander Herrera in the summer, a few alarm bells were set off in the heads of United fans.

Pereira, for a start, isn’t the same kind of player as the man now with PSG and that has been proven when the Brazilian has played a deeper midfield role this season. He struggled at Sheffield United in a midfield two alongside Fred, for example.

Pereira looks more comfortable in attacking areas, most natural as a No.10, although with Bruno Fernandes now at the club his opportunities may become more limited. He’s not a bad player and retains support from Solskjaer, but he’s down the United pecking order somewhat.

5. Nemanja Matic

The resurgence of Matic through the winter was a pleasant surprise for United fans – and Solskjaer – who had thought previously the Serbian international was a fading force. Matic did enough to warrant an extra year at Old Trafford, with United triggering the 12-month extension option in his contract.

He will turn 32 in August and there’s no doubt United have more energetic and dynamic midfield options than the former Chelsea man. But there’s no doubt Matic can do a vital job over the next year using his experience.

4. Scott McTominay

It’s a close call between Matic and McTominay as United’s second defensive midfield option, as it stands. That was proven in the most recent Manchester derby when Solskjaer plumped for Matic from the start – although McTominay came off the bench to make a stunning impact, scoring a 40-yard screamer to seal the win.

McTominay is arguably United’s most improved player and definitely has a big future at the club if his current trajectory continues. A fiercely loyal and committed squad member, Solskjaer needs players like the Scot to rely upon.

3. Fred

Fred could easily be even higher up this list. He’s been by far United’s most consistent midfielder this season, remaining injury free and usually covering more ground over a 90-minute period than any of his teammates.

Simply put, his transition from a £52million transfer ‘flop’ to United’s dependable midfield metronome has been remarkable. And it owes to his excellent work ethic, which as MEN Sport recently revealed, is continuing amid the coronavirus pandemic with Fred using a personal trainer to stay fit from his home.

Fred was voted the United player of the month by supporters for January and has even started to contribute goals and assists from his defensive midfield berth. His rise will surely continue when football resumes.

2. Paul Pogba

There will be some who argue with Pogba’s place in this ranking, but the fact remains that Pogba is a hugely talented footballer. On ability alone, he should probably be United’s No.1 midfielder.

The issue, of course, is that the Frenchman has been injured for much of the 2019/20 campaign with an ankle problem that has required surgery. And although many have questioned his commitment to United, that is an issue that will be ironed out in the coming months amid links to Real Madrid and Juventus. But he could certainly be more consistent.

When Solskjaer was first appointed, we saw the best of Pogba. We have also seen his slumps at Old Trafford, but you cannot decry the pure footballing ability of this World Cup winner.

1. Bruno Fernandes

Who else? Fernandes has proven to be a truly elite player and arguably one of the most important United signings of recent times.

In a very short time he has transformed the side.

The Portuguese playmaker filled the void of creativity in the United midfield, creating and scoring goals and expertly linking attack and midfield. Grealish may well arrive at United in the summer transfer window, but he’ll do well to usurp Fernandes as the creative linchpin of Solskjaer’s current side.