The summer transfer window opens today (Friday 10th June) and Manchester United have a lot of work to do. Erik ten Hag has been appointed as the club's next permanent manager and he will hopefully see an overhaul at Old Trafford, which will put the club back on an upward trajectory.
A good transfer window will provide the foundations for what is to come under Ten Hag. So to that end, let's look at four things that must happen at United before the transfer window closes in more than two months' time:
1. Sign a defensive midfielder
This one goes without saying. United have needed to sign a defensive or a more defensive midfielder for years now and with Nemanja Matic departing on a free this summer, the club have been left with no one who can shield the centre-backs and help the club build up from the back. It simply must be addressed this summer.
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2. Address at least two other problem areas
After the defensive midfield position has been solved, United would do well to solve at least two other problem areas with signings who will either be part of the starting XI, or play a significant number of minutes next season under Ten Hag. With Paul Pogba leaving, the club need a new midfielder who can help them progress the ball up the field and create.
The player targeted to be Pogba's replacement appears to be Frenkie De Jong, who played under Ten Hag at Ajax before leaving for Barcelona in 2019. United are pursuing a deal for him and while De Jong's preference is to play Champions League football, they are hoping that a reunion with his former manager will be able to sway the player.
Other areas that United must address are right back, striker and the right-wing. A left-sided centre back is also on the cards, with the Manchester Evening News understanding that the club have registered an interest in both Pau Torres and David Carmo this summer.
3. Sell fringe players
With Pogba, Matic, Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Lee Grant leaving, United have already freed up a number of spaces in their squad but also a lot of wages. However, there is still room for more departures.
Many fans are expecting Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly to leave the club this summer as they want first-team football. Andreas Periera was also expected to leave after his loan spell at Flamengo, but his future is up in the air as things stand.
If United want to refresh the squad and compete with their rivals, they need to overhaul the squad and get rid of the players who won't be able to play a part next season. This will help the dressing room atmosphere and a smaller group will be easier for Ten Hag to manage and motivate.
4. Build for the future
Rome wasn't built in a day and United will not be able to compete for the title for a few years, so they must target players who Ten Hag can develop over the course of his project. The club have already begun to overhaul their scouting department, which they hope will lead to better talent identification and recruitment; so long term this will mean that United can follow the Liverpool model of building a team to compete for the title in a few seasons.
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