Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement with Denmark international Christian Eriksen to sign him on a free transfer as part of their summer rebuild under manager Erik ten Hag.
The United manager, who will travel to Thailand with his squad on Friday for the start of the club's pre-season tour, is desperate to change the landscape of his side's midfield options this summer and Eriksen is looking as though he could be his first new addition in that area of the team. The Manchester Evening News understands that United are now working hard to get a deal wrapped up and sign him on a three-year contract.
The 30-year-old was offered a new deal by Brentford, who snapped him up on a short-term contract back in January, but he failed to commit his future to the Bees.
READ MORE: Manchester United aiming to complete five signings this month
It means that he is now poised to seal a move to Old Trafford. He could become United's second signing of the summer, with a deal to bring Tyrell Malacia to M16 much closer to being completed.
With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a close look at how United could line up this forthcoming season if they snap up Malacia and Eriksen, plus three other transfer targets that are on their radar.
Goalkeeper - David de Gea
Although doubts over De Gea's distribution have been raised, the Spaniard more than deserves to continue as first-choice goalkeeper this forthcoming campaign. He was excellent last term, producing a string of fine performances to help United earn some vital points in the Premier League.
He is a guaranteed starter following Dean Henderson's loan move to Nottingham Forest and deservedly so. He was instrumental last term and one of the very few positives.
Defence - Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia
United are edging closer and closer to wrapping up the signing of Feyenoord left-back Malacia, meaning he will compete with Luke Shaw for the left-back berth. Both players will want to try and earn as many opportunities as possible and could frequently rotate.
United, meanwhile, have lodged a £37million bid for Ajax centre-back Martinez and he could prove to be the centre-back that they desperately crave. Being left-footed, he would be the ideal candidate to slot into the back-four, replacing Harry Maguire, and scoop the left-sided centre-back berth. Dalot and Varane would continue at right-back and centre-back, respectively.
Midfield - Fred, Frenkie de Jong, Christian Eriksen
It is in midfield where United need to make the biggest changes this summer, and Eriksen's expected arrival at Old Trafford will mark the first alteration. You would expect him to be in direct competition with Bruno Fernandes for the No.10 position, meaning those two, like Shaw and Malacia, could frequently rotate. Fernandes was not at his best last season and competition should help him.
De Jong, should United scoop his signature, would be a certain starter in a midfield-three, most probably alongside Fred, should United fail to secure the services of a defensive-minded midfielder. Fred would be the ideal partner for De Jong, offering a degree of energy and defensive nous.
Attack - Antony, Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho
Should Ronaldo stay at United this summer he is guaranteed a starting berth at the top end of the pitch. He was the club's leading marksman with 24 goals last term and there is no chance of anyone starting ahead of him if United are able to keep hold of him.
United are continuing to actively pursue a right-sided winger and Ajax ace Antony remains at the top of Ten Hag's wish list. Sancho, who joined United almost a year ago, is likely to start the season on the left wing after producing his best showings there last season.
United's dream line-up with five new signings: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Fred, De Jong, Eriksen; Antony, Ronaldo, Sancho.
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