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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
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Joshua Smith

Manchester United's transfer priorities in each position as Mason Mount to become first signing

With Mason Mount set to become Manchester United's first summer signing, attention can turn to addressing the other weaknesses in Erik ten Hag's squad.

The Dutchman's priorities have always been to bring in a dynamic midfielder and top-class centre-forward this summer, with one of those boxed off with Mount's arrival. But in an ever-shifting transfer market, it appears those priorities may have slightly changed.

With David de Gea now out of contract, a new No.1 is bound to be high on the wish list while United have also been linked with a long list of players in almost every position. The Reds have a strict transfer budget of £120million to work within this summer, although that may be topped up through player sales, meaning the club will have to be strict with themselves over which areas to prioritise.

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READ MORE: United's first three summer transfers show Erik ten Hag is getting what he deserves

Reports have linked United with further additions in defence and midfield as the club look to build on Ten Hag's encouraging first season at Old Trafford. With all of that in mind, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at the Reds' priorities in each position during the summer transfer window.

Goalkeeper

David de Gea is now out of contract although United have promised to continue discussions about a new deal in the coming weeks. The Reds' No.1 married long-term partner Edurne Garcia the day after his contract expired with United sources telling the Manchester Evening News they do not want to interrupt De Gea's private time with his family and will reopen dialogue face-to-face.

The top target to replace him appears to have emerged as Inter's Andre Onana, who previously worked with Erik ten hag at Ajax. A price tag of around £40million could make Onana the best-priced world-class goalkeeper currently on the market. United have also been linked with Porto's Diogo Costa and Feyenoord's Justin Bijlow as alternatives after previous target Bart Verbruggen joined Premier League rivals Brighton.

Right-back

During the first half of the season it appeared nailed-on that Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be moved on this summer. The former Crystal Palace man struggled to get past Diogo Dalot in the United first team and after the Portugal international signed a new five-year contract with the option of a further year, it seemed the writing was on the wall for Wan-Bissaka.

The fact that things are no longer so clear is a testament to the improved form Wan-Bissaka managed in the second half of the season. United had held talks with Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong about a potential summer move, although his arrival would require one of Dalot or Wan-Bissaka to leave.

Centre-back

Any arrivals at centre-back will be dependent on who leaves. Eric Bailly is considered a 'must sell' following his loan spell at Marseille last season while the only other senior central defender likely to depart is captain Harry Maguire. The Manchester Evening News revealed in February that the England defender would be made available to buy this summer following an underwhelming season.

United had been linked with a move for Napoli defender Kim Min-jae but with the South Korean looking like he is bound for Bayern Munich, the Reds could turn to Monaco defender Axel Disasi if recent reports are to be believed.

Left-back

United are unlikely to see any movement at left-back, although there could be a slight change in their squad makeup depending on what business they can do elsewhere. Harry Maguire could leave the club after a difficult season in which he struggled to make a consistent impact on Erik ten Hag's first team.

Luke Shaw, always so reliable at left-back, was preferred as a stand-in central defender on several occasions and if United sell Maguire and fail to replace him he could see himself deployed there even more in the coming season. United would then have Tyrell Malacia and Alvaro Fernandez, who enjoyed a productive loan spell at Championship side Preston North End last season, able to play at left-back.

Alex Telles, who spent last season on loan at Sevilla, is regarded as a 'must sell' while Brandon Williams is also expected to leave.

Midfield

Erik ten Hag's priority for midfield this summer has always been Mason Mount. While the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Jude Bellingham were coveted, last year's failed transfer saga involving the Netherlands international no doubt made it clear both would be out of reach once again.

United moved quickly to agree personal terms with Mount, with the news coming before they had even finished the season in their FA Cup final defeat to City. Mount's pending arrival is set to see Fred depart to make room in the squad, with Fulham interested in signing the Brazilian.

Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat and Southampton's Romeo Lavia are being monitored but a move for either would be dependent on Scott McTominay departing. Donny van de Beek and Hannibal Mejbri could also leave the club, with recent reports linking them with moves to AS Roma and Borussia Dortmund respectively.

Wingers

United are unlikely to see any movement on the wings this summer. Marcus Rashford was one of the team's best players last season and the priority will be to get him tied down to a new contract as quickly as possible to avoid losing him for nothing in a year's time. Antony has had time to settle following his £85million transfer from Ajax a year ago and the hope will be that he can press on with his development this term.

The same goes for Alejandro Garnacho following an exciting breakthrough season at Old Trafford for the young Argentina international. Erik ten Hag could decide to sell Jadon Sancho to raise much-needed funds, with the Manchester Evening News revealing earlier this year that the United boss is becoming increasingly impatient with the former Dortmund winger.

But a new signing may not be needed as a replacement, with Amad coming back to the club following an impressive season on loan at Sunderland.

Centre-forward

The big one all United fans are waiting for. While United have monitored both Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen this summer, both appear to be out of the club's current budget. The Reds are working under the assumption Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will not sanction the sale of Kane this summer, while Osimhen is expected to cost more than £100million - money United simply do not have available to spend on one single player this summer with so many other issues to address.

That leaves United hoping to cut a deal for someone slightly less established. United held video calls with Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund earlier in the year and the Denmark international is known to be a fan of the Old Trafford side - so it seems like a no-brainer to get the striker in this summer.

But with question marks over Anthony Martial after yet another injury-hit season last term, United could opt to bring in two names. Frankfurt's Randal Kolo Muani and Benfica's Goncalo Ramos have also been monitored although again, any move would be dependent on United either making sales or being quoted an affordable fee. Both may prove just out of reach.

Ajax's Mohammed Kudus is also liked by Ten Hag, although he is not a natural centre-forward, while Porto's 30-year-old striker Mehdi Taremi, who is out of contract in a year's time, has also been linked as an affordable alternative in recent days.

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