How Manchester United could line up this season if…

How Manchester United could line up this season if Cristiano Ronaldo seals transfer exit

Erik ten Hag's planning for the new campaign has been thrown into jeopardy amid reports claiming that Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Manchester United in pursuit of Champions League football.

According to a report by The Times, Ronaldo, who is due to report back to the club's Carrington training base for pre-season training this week, has asked to be allowed to leave Old Trafford, subject to the club receiving a 'satisfactory offer' for his signature. United, following the emergence of the news, moved quickly to shoot the story down.

They have insisted that the 37-year-old is not for sale and that he will play a key part in Ten Hag's plans in the forthcoming campaign. Ronaldo returned to United last summer from Juventus and notched 24 goals in all competitions, proving to be one of the club's few success stories last term.

Although United are in desperate need of new recruits, Ronaldo - should he stay - is assured of a starting berth under Ten Hag, leading the line in the 4-3-3 formation the Dutchman is expected to deploy. The Portugal captain was outstanding last term and proved that his age is nothing more than just a number.

However, following the news that he is considering his future in M16, MEN Sport has taken a close look at how United could line up on the opening day of the new campaign without him. The line-up also includes potential new signings, such as Tyrell Malacia and Frenkie de Jong, plus others.

Goalkeeper - David de Gea

Guaranteed to start the season as United's first-choice goalkeeper, De Gea deserves to continue between the sticks this forthcoming campaign. He was excellent last season, producing a string of fine performances to help the Reds avoid even more embarrassment than they suffered.

Although question marks have been raised about his distribution qualities, Dean Henderson's loan move to Nottingham Forest means that De Gea will continue as United's head goalkeeper without any questions being asked. The club continues to search for a backup option.

Defence - Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Tyrell Malacia

United want to strengthen their defensive options in this summer's transfer window and they are edging closer to securing their first addition in that area of the team in the form of Feyenoord left-back Malacia. His move to Old Trafford is heading in the right direction and he will compete with Luke Shaw for a starting berth.

United, ideally, also need to bolster their right-back and centre-back options. However, it remains to be seen what will happen with those two areas of the team, particularly if they land Lisandro Martinez from Ajax and install him as the defensive midfielder they desperately need. Dalot, Maguire and Varane could keep their places and join Malacia in the back-four.

Tyrell Malacia could become Manchester United's first signing of the Erik ten Hag era. (Angelo Blankespoor/Soccrates/Getty Images.)

Midfield - Lisandro Martinez, Frenkie de Jong, Bruno Fernandes

Speaking of Martinez, the prospect of United signing him and using him as a defensive midfielder is an exciting one. He can play in the holding-midfield berth, as well as at centre-back and left-back.

Should United, who have submitted a £37million bid for his signature, land him and deploy him in defensive-midfield, he could accompany De Jong in a new-look midfield, should the latter seal a move from Barcelona. Fernandes would be able to continue as architect-in-chief ahead of them.

Attack - Antony, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho

The prospect of losing Ronaldo would leave a gaping hole in United's armoury. Edinson Cavani's exit from the club last month means that they no longer have a recognised, out-and-out striker to offer support to Ronaldo, meaning they would find themselves in deep trouble if the latter departs.

With concrete links on an incoming striker not currently forthcoming, Rashford is the most obvious candidate to pick up the baton from Ronaldo and become United's main striker, supported by transfer target Antony and England international Sancho from the flanks. The Reds must sign a striker above all else if Ronaldo moves on.

United starting line-up without Cristiano Ronaldo and with four new signings: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Malacia; Martinez, De Jong, Fernandes; Antony, Rashford, Sancho.

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