Forget the calamity keeper, what Man United need is a proper holding midfielder to challenge the Premier League’s best

Arsenal have Declan Rice. Manchester City have Rodri. Tottenham have Yves Bissouma. Chelsea have Moises Caicedo. Liverpool have Alexis Mac Allister.

Manchester United, meanwhile, have a defensive midfielder who I described last year as a £70 million panic signing, for which I was criticized.

Casemiro performed well in the last campaign. Better than I expected from the Brazilian in his thirties. But he is now injured and if he does perform, it seems he does not have the legs to cope with the demands of this level.

Not like Rice, or Rodri, or the other elite men in midfield who can control proceedings. The decision to sign Casemiro on a long-term contract is looking increasingly foolish as he is not the answer to the lack of protection provided by the midfield.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana also needs all the protection he can get, given the way he flutters when something flies his way.

Arsenal can rely on Declan Rice (left), while Man City have Rodri (right) in midfield

Chelsea could call on Moises Caicedo worth £115 million to strengthen their midfield

Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma was a revelation under Ange Postecoglou

Casemiro did well last season but has not made the same impact this season and is now injured

Kobbie Mainoo is a prime prospect, but he's only 18. As good as he was in his first Premier League start against Everton last weekend, he needs time to blossom.

Mainoo's lack of experience is perhaps the reason why Erik ten Hag did not start him at Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday. United led 2-0, then 3-1, but unprotected they threw it away and drew 3-3.

Bruno Fernandes tried to help defensively, but he was the one who gave away the two free kicks that led to Hakim Ziyech's goals.

The Mail Sport columnist believes Man United should sign a good midfielder

Erik ten Hag has been unable to solve his midfield problems all season at Old Trafford

Kobbie Mainoo (right) is a promising prospect, but it would be wrong to expect too much from him too soon

United need a specialist protector in midfield. Someone who can act as a barrier, especially if he or she has an advantage.

Remember, they have dropped eight points from gaining positions in the Champions League this season. That is more than any other team within the European elite.

Mainoo may be the right man in the long term. But it would be too much too soon to expect that from him now, week in, week out.

Onana's struggle will dominate discussions after that horror show in Istanbul. But defensive midfield is an issue that will need to be addressed sooner rather than later for United – perhaps in the January window if they are to make progress.