The incoming Man Utd boss has already apparently made a number of decisions over the squad at his disposal, with a vast array of players set for exits whilst a few new faces are expected to arrive
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Man Utd’s worst ever Premier League season
Incoming Man United boss Erik ten Hag has his work cut-out to shape the Red Devils’ current squad into his image.
The Dutchman is set to take the reins next campaign but has been in the UK over the past week evaluating his squad with the transfer window set to open over the next few weeks. Of course, the Red Devils’ summer business could potentially be impacted by which competition they find themselves in.
Having failed to seal a place in the Champions League under Ralf Rangnick, the Old Trafford outfit are under threat of dropping into the Europa Conference League, West Ham breathing down their necks ahead of the final day of the season.
Despite all of that, a number of names have already been linked with a switch to United this summer, whilst a number of the current crop are expected to wave goodbye. With all of that being said, Mirror Sport takes a look at how ten Hag’s squad could look before 2022/23 gets underway.
Goalkeepers
David de Gea, Tom Heaton, Sam Johnstone
The first sacrifice of the ten Hag reign could potentially be academy graduate Dean Henderson. The former Sheffield United stopper is reportedly ‘closing in’ on a move to Newcastle United.
He is expected to exit on loan having previously enjoyed a successful period with Sheffield United earlier in his career. With Lee Grant also anticipated to be among the departees this summer with his contract set to expire, the Red Devils need a back-up option.
That man could potentially be a player that they have already had at the club in the form of Sam Johnstone, although Tottenham Hotspur could represent significant competition for his services. David de Gea would once again be the club’s undisputed number one following another excellent campaign for the Spaniard.
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Defenders
Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw, Alex Telles, Diogo Dalot, Axel Tuanzebe, Jurrien Timber, Lisandro Martinez
Defence could also be set to see plenty of overhaul with the arrival of ten Hag. Sky Sports have suggested that the club are open to offers for both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Eric Bailly so it is hard to envisage the duo being at Old Trafford next campaign.
One of last summer’s headline arrivals, Raphael Varane, will likely be first-choice at the heart of the United defence but the inconsistent form of both Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof offers the pair no guarantees. They could still stay with the club though.
Ten Hag is apparently eyeing a couple of his former players in an effort to bolster the club’s defence. Jurrien Timber is a name that has been regularly mentioned, whilst reports have suggested that Argentine Lisandro Martinez has been added to the Red Devils’ shortlist.
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How many signings do Man Utd need to make in the summer? Have your say in the comments below.
Full-backs Luke Shaw and Alex Telles will likely remain with the club, whilst Diogo Dalot already apparently has a place in ten Hag’s plans. Should United fail to facilitate another loan spell after his disaster with Napoli, youngster Axel Tuanzebe could potentially be a surprise inclusion in the squad next season.
Midfielders
Scott McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Hannibal Mejbri, Donny van de Beek, Enzo Fernandez, Ruben Neves
Whilst Tuanzebe could potentially be in line for a place next term, one man who looks guaranteed to be back at Old Trafford next term is Donny van de Beek. The Dutchman has been with struggling Everton but sparkled under his compatriot ten Hag at Ajax so both will certainly be keen to reignite that relationship sooner rather than later.
Another player who could be set to arrive at Man United this summer is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ playmaker Ruben Neves. The Portuguese has been linked with a switch for some time and he was spotted saying a potentially emotional farewell to supporters at Molineux – albeit his destination remaining unknown.
A final midfield addition that could arrive in the summer is River Plate starlet Enzo Fernandez. He has impressed in his homeland, with the Red Devils reportedly going head-to-head with Manchester City for his services.
Those three additions will go a long way in compensating for the number of midfield losses the club is set to suffer this summer – Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata all expected to leave. That leaves the likes of Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and youngster Hannibal Mejbri as the only current players set to stay.
Forwards
Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga, Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Martial, Darwin Nunez
Despite having welcomed some big names to Old Trafford last summer in the forms of Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo – both of which are expected to stay with the club despite the Portuguese being linked with an exit – they could yet again dip into the transfer market for attacking additions. One player that the Red Devils are expected to pursue in the window is Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.
The 34-goal Uruguayan has courted plenty of attention throughout the campaign, with Arsenal also linked. Benfica have reportedly put a £51million (€60m) price tag on his head – a fee that the Red Devils could potentially afford.
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Academy graduates Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga add further depth to Ten Hag’s squad. Anthony Martial could yet be a part of the Dutchman’s considerations next term with Sevilla not expected to turn his loan deal into a permanent move.
Edinson Cavani could be another of the current crop of players to wave goodbye. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward’s deal is up at the end of what has been an injury-hit campaign.
He could join Jesse Lingard in leaving the club, the academy graduate also out of contract this summer having joined the club at the age of seven.
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