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 ‘s squad.

Arsenal FC v Como Calcio - Pre-Season FriendlyManchester United should sign their own version of Martin Odegaard, claims Gordon Strachan Credit: Getty NINTCHDBPICT001101838303Strachan says United need someone to ‘eliminate people from the game’ if Bruno Fernandes gets injured Credit: Alamy

Midfielders like and Andrey Santos have come in from and respectively, while youngsters Kit Margetson and Tynan Thompson have also arrived.

United are also .

But Strachan – who spent five years at – 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 , that’s the problem.

“But I would like to see somebody in midfield like [Martin] Odegaard who can eliminate people from the game.

“ can play that number 10 role, but if you only have Fernandes and that’s it, what happens if he gets injured?

I think have to be in a position where if Fernandes in particular gets injured, someone else is ready to step in.

Friday 21 August
Arsenal
Epl-teamarsenal-1
20:00
Regular Season
Coventry-city-fc-logo
Coventry
Saturday 22 August
Hull
Epl-teamhull
12:30
Regular Season
Epl-teammanchester-united
Man Utd
Everton
Epl-teameverton
15:00
Regular Season
Epl-teamcrystal-palace
Palace
Ipswich
Epl-teamipswich
15:00
Regular Season
Epl-teamsunderland
Sunderland
Forest
Epl-teamnottingham-forest
15:00
Regular Season
Epl-teamleeds
Leeds
Brentford
Epl-teambrentford
17:30
Regular Season
Epl-teamtottenham
Spurs
No results yet
English Premier League P W D L GD Pts
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0

“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.

Bruno Fernandes' 2025-26 season statistics for Manchester United. The sun World Cup preview night 2026 at the News Building , London BridgeStrachan 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 .

“Is it going to be like when Sir 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.”