Man Utd need their own Martin Odegaard to eliminate players from the game, warns former Old Trafford star

MANCHESTER UNITED need their own version of Martin Odegaard to open up defences, claims ex-Red Devils star Gordon Strachan. United have already brought in six new signings this summer to strengthen Michael Carrick‘s squad. Manchester United should sign their own version of Martin Odegaard, claims Gordon Strachan Credit: Getty Strachan says United need someone to ‘eliminate people from the game’ if Bruno Fernandes gets injured Credit: Alamy Midfielders like Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have come in from Aston Villa and Chelsea respectively, while youngsters Kit Margetson and Tynan Thompson have also arrived. United are also closing in on a £65m deal for Brighton star Carlos Baleba. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! Dream Team is back, free, and there’s £100,000 up for grabs! But Strachan – who spent five years at Old Trafford – feels the team are still lacking another playmaker alongside Bruno Fernandes. He claimed Carrick was in need of someone who could “eliminate people from the game” in case Fernandes suffered an injury. Speaking to Betway, he said: “They’ve not got enough money right now to be as good as Arsenal, that’s the problem. “But I would like to see somebody in midfield like [Martin] Odegaard who can eliminate people from the game. “Bruno Fernandes can play that number 10 role, but if you only have Fernandes and that’s it, what happens if he gets injured? I think Manchester United have to be in a position where if Fernandes in particular gets injured, someone else is ready to step in. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “I think they could still do with some top midfield players with a bit of vision. There are no problems with elsewhere.” Odegaard scored once and assisted six as Arsenal won the title but struggled for form and fitness. Fernandes, meanwhile, was United’s star man last season as he broke the Prem assist record with 21. United are being backed to push for a title challenge under Carrick after the ex-Red Devils star helped them finish third and earned the permanent manager’s job. Strachan thinks United could challenge for the title if they add another few names Credit: Darren Fletcher Strachan can’t see United being serious contenders but feels they could be in the mix if they add another couple of signings. He added: “Arsenal are the favourites and we’re still looking at Man City asking whether they can get over Pep Guardiola. “Is it going to be like when Sir Alex Ferguson left Man Utd? “We all saw what happened there, so that’s the huge problem when you have a dynasty like that. “Arsenal’s recruitment has also been tremendous. But for Manchester United, I see them being in the top three. If they add another two midfield players, I would put them down as top three material.” Comment now