I think the idea will be to develop McTominay and Fred into that holding midfielder to be honest, and it does make a bit of sense. Against lower sides Pogba-Bruno+1 should work, and against the top sides you could shuffle it to bring in the extra midfielder and make it more solid.
We also have a lot of youth that should be knocking on the door within 2-3 years
Exactly how I was thinking, can't see us buying in a Saul, Partey or specific DM. Personally, I can see McTominay initially being coached in a slightly more defensive role, as he can win defensive headers, and does cover back when players break into our box (something I've criticised Matic for over the past couple of seasons, but he seems more motivated these days), but he will always have the ability to break forward quickly. Fred, to me, is more like a Nicky Butt type of player, has abilities on the ball, but has a great engine, and will put opponents under pressure the whole game, and, despite his showing so far, has a great shot on him. Out of all the players who have been linked with us recently (36 at last count in past two weeks), I can only see Sancho and Bellingham coming. Like P-nut, I can see some of our academy prospects coming through in the next couple of years. Players like Gomes, Garner, Levitt, Galbraith, Chong, Laird, Mejbri, Mengi all look good, not all will make it with United, but hopefully three or four might come through. I think Ighalo will stay, and then in a couple of years, try for Haaland.