Despite Manchester United's desperate need to get new faces through the door this summer, their bloated squad is continuing to make life difficult for them.
Manager Erik ten Hag, who will take charge of his first game - a pre-season friendly against Liverpool - in Bangkok on July 12, is desperate to add to his squad and transform the club's fortunes after the nightmares of last season. However, although the transfer window has only been open for just over a fortnight, United have not come out firing, with the supporters still eagerly awaiting the first signing of the summer.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been locked in as the club's top target, as they look to strengthen their midfield options, while the prospect of soon-to-be free agent Christian Eriksen moving to Old Trafford hangs in the balance. He is understood to be weighing up offers from both United and current club Brentford.
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United's need to strengthen in midfield this summer is a leading priority, with it having been the problematic area that plagued them throughout last term. But it isn't just in the centre of the park where Ten Hag needs new blood.
The Dutchman is keen to add to several areas of his squad, not least at centre-back. United, experiencing their worst campaign defensively since the 1978/89 season last term, shipped 69 goals in all competitions, highlighting exactly why it is an area that has been identified as a weak spot.
As revealed by the Manchester Evening News earlier this month, Ajax ace Jurrien Timber has been highlighted as their top target, but any deal to bring him to Old Trafford could prove to be difficult with the Dutch giants currently standing firm. Villarreal's Pau Torres and David Carmo of Braga have been identified as alternatives.
Alternatives they may be, but United's number of options at centre-back means that it will be difficult to bring anyone in. Currently, the Reds have Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Teden Mengi on their books. It would be unhealthy to add to that tally without offloading at least two of them beforehand.
On the face of it, Bailly and Jones are the two most obvious contenders to try and offload. But who is going to be queuing up for them after making just 12 appearances between them in league and cup last season? You wouldn't have thought there would be many suitors, would you?
It has put the Reds in a tricky spot; they need to, ideally, cut their cloth before investing in a new centre-back, however hard it may prove to be. But if they are successful in their efforts, there are still no guarantees that they would land one of their leading targets to bolster the back-line.
Some reports elsewhere, however, have linked United with Juventus centre-back Matthijs de Ligt. He is being linked with both United and Chelsea after talks over a new contract between the defender and the Italian giants reportedly broke down. He joined Juventus in 2019 from Ajax and is no stranger to Ten Hag.
The defender, who was on United's radar during Jose Mourinho's tenure, played a key role in helping Ajax reach the semi-finals of the Champions League a few months earlier and remains considered one of the best defenders in Europe, despite only being 22. He is good in the air and capable of picking a pass, meaning he would fit what Ten Hag is looking for, with United set to adopt a more controlled approach under the Dutchman.
De Ligt, too, has already backed Ten Hag for success at Old Trafford. It is also understood that they maintain a good relationship.
"He is someone who loves his job and he loves to work," admitted De Ligt previously. "He wants to do everything to make his team play better. He's really into the details.
"This makes him a really good trainer who improves players. He has a lot of qualities to succeed and we will have to see how he goes."
If De Ligt believes Ten Hag has the necessary credentials to succeed at Old Trafford, would it be a project he'd like to be a part of himself? If their past working relationship, plus ongoing links connecting him with a move to United, is anything to go by, perhaps he would.
Chelsea appear to be in the driving seat for now, but the appeal of working with Ten Hag again might just tempt De Ligt into being reunited with his former boss. Current Ajax star Timber might be the club's leading target for now, but another avenue with Ajax connections might be worth exploring.
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