Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has identified four positions for the club to strengthen, including one area for particular attention in January.
Ten Hag oversaw a summer transfer window that was ultimately a busy one for United, with three deals concluded in the closing week to take the total incomings at Old Trafford up to six. The arrivals of Casemiro, Antony and Martin Dubravka followed those of Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen.
Yet the number of departures from the first-team squad was in double figures and many more players are likely to be allowed to leave over the course of the next year. Cristiano Ronaldo remains intent on departing the Red Devils despite not getting his summer transfer wish, while other exits are also anticipated.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one candidate who seems destined to leave as Diogo Dalot has made the right-back position his own. Natural left-back Malacia even deployed in the position ahead of the former Crystal Palace defender, who has been frozen out somewhat by Ten Hag after falling out of favour under Ralf Rangnick.
Defenders Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Brandon Williams are others who will be allowed to depart, while the future of Donny van de Beek at Old Trafford also appears to be short, with the Dutch midfielder failing to force his way into the plans of his former Ajax boss.
With greater stability in the dugout and recruitment department, United will be keen to establish the framework for deals to be completed over the course of the next two transfer windows, with four positions prioritised.
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The area most in need of attention is up front, with Ronaldo’s uncertain future meaning that Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are the Red Devils' only established central strikers. While United are well-stocked in the department of wide forwards, they will aim to add a new attacker to their ranks, with a move in January not ruled out, should the right player become available.
The club did not sign any player in January last season, while Luis Diaz, Dejan Kulusevski, Dusan Vlahovic, Ferran Torres, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Julian Alvarez were among those who joined top European clubs that month.
As outlined by the Manchester Evening News, there are three other positions under consideration. Right-back is seen as a priority as United look to add competition for Dalot in the position, although Ethan Laird’s progress on loan at Queen’s Park Rangers has been noted.
The goalkeeping position will also need to be addressed, with David De Gea seen as unsuited to Ten Hag’s system and the Spaniard out of contract next year, while Dubravka’s loan spell will come to an end and Dean Henderson is due to return to Old Trafford from his stint at Nottingham Forest.
United are also going to explore signing a progressive ball-playing midfielder following their misjudged pursuit of Barcelona ’s Frenkie de Jong this summer. Casemiro and Scott McTominay are holding options in the position but Ten Hag believes more fluidity in midfield is his required for his ideal system.
