The transfer window might have closed, meaning a temporary reduction in the relentless speculation surrounding Manchester United, but the club ought to already be looking ahead to the summer.
Signing Bruno Fernandes and loaning Odion Ighalo represented an average return for United from the January window. They got what they needed, but nothing more. Given that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and sources around United threatened at one stage there would be no signings whatsoever, it was probably a 6/10 window.
Now, it's all about looking ahead to the next opportunity for transfers. United cannot afford to dither when the summer comes around and they will need four permanent additions (at least):
Right-wing
If United thought signing Daniel James last summer would be the answer to their longstanding issues on the right-wing, then they were being very optimistic.
That's no slight on the young Welshman, who has probably justified his £15million transfer fee already, but he cannot be asked to hold down the position week-in, week-out. That has become very clear in recent weeks as James' form has suffered an enormous nosedive.
So United simply must reignite their interest in Jadon Sancho, arguably the best — and certainly the most suited to United — in terms of right-wingers around Europe right now.
A natural on the right flank would help James, who could revert to being a good bench or rotation option, and it would help Aaron Wan-Bissaka focus on his obvious area of strength, in defence.
Striker
Yes, United managed to swoop for Ighalo when all hope of signing a striker appeared dead and gone on January transfer deadline day. But the 30-year-old former Watford striker is nothing more than a stop-gap and Solskjaer will recognise that. It's unlikely, even if Ighalo embarks on a sensational scoring run in the next three months, that United will keep him at Old Trafford beyond the summer.
The failure to sign Erling Haaland was a big blow and has been exposed further by the striker's incredible record of seven goals in 140 minutes for Borussia Dortmund so far — dovetailing beautifully with Sancho, to rub salt in the wound — but there are other options out there.
Edinson Cavani is likely to be available on a free transfer and in truth is exactly the kind of forward United need. Someone with experience and a guaranteed goal record to alleviate the pressure on Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, as well as allowing for Mason Greenwood to keep developing.
Central midfield
Many would argue that United require two further midfield additions, even after the acquisition of Bruno Fernandes.
Much, of course, will depend on the future of Paul Pogba, but United will need a minimum of one extra midfield signing, amid interest in Jack Grealish and James Maddison in the upcoming summer window.
The Aston Villa captain could be relegated from the Premier League with his boyhood club for the second time, meaning an inevitable scramble for his signature. Grealish has been phenomenal in a fairly poor team this season and would appear to suit United down to the ground. He's got the ability, the leadership credentials and the swagger to play at Old Trafford — as he showed with that superb goal against United earlier this season.
Certainly, Fernandes will need greater quality alongside him if he's to succeed at United in the long-term.
Left-back
There will be some debate over the fourth position in which United need to strengthen.
As mentioned, there is a strong desire from many fans for the club to completely overhaul the midfield region, while others will call for a centre-back like Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly to be signed to partner Harry Maguire.
But despite the occasional promising display by Luke Shaw and Brandon Williams of late, it's clear that United need greater quality at left-back.
Ben Chilwell would be the ideal profile of target, a proven player in the position at the top end of the league and potentially available if United choose to target Grealish over Maddison — with Leicester unlikely to sell three marquee players to United in two successive summers.
A left-back might not be as big a priority as some other positions, but it could be the final piece of the puzzle in a vital summer at Old Trafford.
