Ayyoub Bouaddi: Ineos must pursue perfect midfield upgrade

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·3 January 2026

Ayyoub Bouaddi: Ineos must pursue perfect midfield upgrade

Manchester United are in desperate need of improving their midfield options.

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro have played most of the season in the middle of the park, but that partnership has been broken up recently due to the Portuguese’s injury.

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Kobbie Mainoo’s untimely injury has meant that United are particularly lacking in depth, with Manuel Ugarte and Jack Fletcher playing significant minutes over the Christmas period.

Transfer links

Naturally, United are keen to bolster their midfield and have been linked with numerous Premier League stars such as Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

There have also been links to other midfield options, such as 18-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi, who currently plays for LOSC Lille. The French midfielder would be the perfect option for United to pursue, and there are several reasons for this.

Age profile

Ineos have made a point of trying to sign numerous young starlets since gaining control of the football club.

Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are examples of young players who have been recently signed and have already made a big impression in the first team, with Chido Obi on the fringes. The signings of Paraguayan Diego Leon and Colombian Cristian Orozco also highlight the new philosophy of the club, and Bouaddi very much fits into this model.

Flexible

United have numerous issues in their midfield, both in an attacking and defensive sense.

One of the aspects of Bouaddi’s game that is so special is that he looks comfortable performing different midfield roles. He is classified as someone who can play as a defensive midfielder, but is also more than capable of playing further forward as more of an eight or even a number ten.

This tactical flexibility is always welcome, but especially if manager Ruben Amorim’s words are true that the team will be more tactically fluid moving forward.

Passing range

Without Bruno Fernandes, an obvious limitation in the United midfield is a lack of passing ability, with Casemiro and Ugarte falling well below the standards one would expect of a Manchester United player in this regard.

Bouaddi is “a technically secure player with an excellent long passing ability and who has the awareness to spot players in space in advanced areas. A deep-lying playmaker, he can pick out some quality passes to create cutbacks and set up goal-scoring opportunities.”

He has also been described as a “deep-lying orchestrator” of play whose “playmaking abilities and composure under pressure enables him to keep calm under pressure and although he is still a teenager, he showcase an amazing football IQ (anticipation, decision and vision) when picking out passes.”

Work rate

An essential component of being in Amorim’s midfield is the ability of the player to run for days.

This is something United lack with Fernandes, Casemiro and Mainoo in the centre of the park. Bouaddi’s long limbs, high work rate and sharp anticipation enable him to intercept passes and break up play effectively, buzzing around the pitch to disrupt his opponent.

Defensive work

The teenager is much more than just a runner, though. He is also very good in duels and can use his physicality well, a vital skill in the Premier League.

Scouts have described him as “his tackling being precise, often winning the ball cleanly from awkward angles and back pressures to recover possession – just like you want from a ball-winner.”

“His defensive awareness, sublime work rate and tackling skills has also seen the player becoming an important player in the quest to regain possession high up the pitch. His abilities to cover ground and support defensively by embodying a modern midfielder’s tenacity.”

This is exactly what Amorim wants in a midfielder, and his game should transition comfortably to the Premier League.

Ball-carrying

Finally, another thing United currently lack is someone who can carry the ball up the pitch out of trouble or to launch counter-attacks.

Bouaddi’s ability to take the ball up the pitch has been described as moving “forward with purpose, using his stride and technique to progress play into the final third. Using his flair, vision and incredible technique, his abilities to carry the ball into more dangerous areas of the pitch is simply breathtaking to watch.”

Final thoughts

Like any young player, he will need patience, and such a talented player will obviously mean United will need to fend off competition for the youngster.

Nonetheless, Bouaddi demonstrates a rare flexibility and varied skillset that fit United’s needs in the midfield department like a glove. Ineos would be wise to prioritise a move for the Frenchman this summer or as soon as they can.