Fulham’s Clint Dempsey would solve Man Utd’s midfield problems

Some call it the American Dream because you have to be asleep to believe it.

But with the American Glazers presiding over Old Trafford – the Theatre of Dreams – Clint Dempsey would have to endure a nightmarish end to an impressive season not to attract their attentions.

Rumours are already flooding the Premier League that both Manchester United and Arsenal, and probably more, are interested in him.

The asking price appears to be £10m, but the question for the 22-goal marauding midfielder is who to join? But as he is 29-years-old already, this really should be a simple choice to make.

Paul Scholes must surely only have one more season left in him, and likewise Ryan Giggs, while the injury-prone duo of Anderson and Darren Fletcher are becoming a distant memory, with Tom Cleverley the only young upstart guaranteed to make headway into United’s middle four.

Paul Pogba has still to agree a new deal, while Dempsey has actively insisted he will not extend his stay at Craven Cottage beyond 2013, refusing to sign a new contract.

The versatile midfielder would slot in comfortably under Sir Alex Ferguson’s direction.

Against Athletic Bilbao, United craved a box-to-box midfielder with a keen eye for a defence-splitting pass, an athletic yet sturdy force to galvanise a dispirited side on the eve of another embarrassing departure from Europe.

This is when Giggs and Scholes – effective when deployed against a supine, retreating Queens Park Rangers – are surplus to requirements.

The American would also prevent Wayne Rooney from coming deep, as he would carry the ball towards him further up the pitch.

Such a system would improve the Danny Welbeck/Rooney partnership, which appears set to flourish with a little encouragement.

Dempsey is also very capable of playing out wide or in a three-pronged attack. He can score delightful free-kicks, can produce emphatic headers and deliver crosses with pin-point accuracy.

Fulham have also played 50 games this season and still look strong and far from fatigued.

Dempsey has featured in the majority of those fixtures, and so can be relied upon to last the distance for United when they return to their customary hunt for the Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup along with their Premier League duties.

Ferguson is looking to leave a team at the cradle of its development for his successor. With Dempsey offering leadership, momentum and experience to bridge this gap, Ferguson should make his dream come true.

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Read more on: clint dempsey, fulham, martin jol, Paul Pogba, paul scholes, Premier League, ryan giggs, Sir Alex Ferguson, tom cleverley.