Manchester United have got some important decisions to make this summer as Erik ten Hag aims to build a squad capable of challenging for some of the game's biggest prizes.
The United head coach wants to bolster his options, with a new striker the top target. Both Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen are on the club's radar, with MEN Sport understanding the former is the Dutchman's top target.
While Ten Hag is evidently in need of some new additions to improve the starting XI, the squad also needs improving, with their overreliance on certain key players taking its toll late in the campaign having gone deep into all three cup competitions the Reds entered.
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United have plenty of players out on loan who are set to return to Old Trafford this summer, and some look to be great options to keep at the club next season to offer Ten Hag more options.
Amad, Hannibal Mejbri and Alvaro Fernandez have all had successful seasons in England's second tier. Amad's season is not over yet after helping to fire Sunderland into the play-off places. Luton Town stand between the Black Cats and Wembley for a place in the Premier League.
Amad's 13 goals and three assists have been invaluable for Tony Mowbray's side. His form saw him nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Year award and he has grown in stature to be a leading player for the division's youngest squad.
Similarly, Hannibal has caught the eye with Birmingham City. The combative Tunisian midfielder has relished his first senior loan spell and soon became a fans' favourite at St Andrew's.
The 20-year-old adapted easily to life in the Championship, with his physical playing style well-suited to the rough and tumble of EFL football. He collected 10 yellow cards in his 38 appearances, showing he was not afraid to get himself stuck in.
Fernandez was also heavily involved with Preston North End, appearing 38 times for the Lilywhites. He was allowed to flourish at left-wing-back in Ryan Lowe's attacking 3-5-2 shape, which suits the Spaniard's qualities offensively.
United have previously been accused of not taking enough care when choosing where to send players out on loan, but all three of the aforementioned youngsters have shown this season that this is simply not the case. In fact, Amad and Hannibal have both suggested this week that they would be open to the idea of heading back to their temporary clubs for another loan spell next season.
Their development can only be good news for United, though it leaves Ten Hag with a problem: if he does choose to keep them at the club, will they really be willing to exchange regular football at a club where they're clearly happy for a place on the fringes of the United squad?
Football management is about far more than just tactics. A manager must ensure all of his players are as happy as possible to ensure he gets the best out of them come matchday.
The end goal for players like Amad, Hannibal and Fernandez will undoubtedly be to become regulars at United, but if Ten Hag can't guarantee them that next season, convincing them to stay and be squad players after enjoying such prosperous spells away on loan could be a tough sell.
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