Erik ten Hag and John Murtough share the same opinion regarding the two positions Manchester United need to strengthen in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The market opens on 10 June and Red Devils chiefs have been preparing for a busy couple of months as they look to refresh a squad in need of an injection of quality. The likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic are out of contract this summer, while United could only manage a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last season.
The need for a new face in midfield is clear for all to see as the partnership of Fred and Scott McTominay has been criticised. Ten Hag and Murtough - who serves as the club's football director - are also keen to sign a new striker, adding to a star-studded attack which contains the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
That is according to Goal , which claims the United manager has already identified the players he would like to bring to United as he kicks off his tenure. The Red Devils have been linked with a number of his former stars at Ajax, including forward Antony, while Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong remains heavily linked with the Old Trafford side. Benfica hotshot Darwin Nunez is also linked with a transfer.
News that Ten Hag has an idea of who he would like to sign before the window has opened does not come as a surprise, as he arrived at the club ahead of schedule to begin the major task at hand. "I am switching very rapidly, yes," the Dutchman said after his final game in charge of Ajax.
"But is it really necessary, because a lot of things need to be dealt with. I have the energy to carry on after the Dutch season with a new period in Manchester. I am looking forward to dealing with things.
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"Of course I need to charge my batteries at some stage, but I will find time for that somewhere in between." As well as signing players, Ten Hag and Murtough must focus on improving the morale and togetherness of a squad which was reportedly divided all too often last season.
The former Ajax boss arrives as Ralf Rangnick departs, with the latter not taking up the six-day-per-month consultancy role he was earmarked for after his interim spell as manager ended. The Red Devils announced this in late May, allowing Rangnick to fully focus on his duties at the helm of Austria.
