SUMMER OF '23: A CRUCIAL TRANSFER WINDOW FOR MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United's Erik ten Hag

There is no doubt that Erik ten Hag has had a profound impact on all facets of life at Manchester United during his relatively short stint thus far. Although his primary focus is obviously the on-field demands of first team football, he has ensured that his presence has been felt throughout the club. The former Ajax coach has chosen to play a major role in overseeing the Manchester United reserve teams in order to ensure he has a hand in the streamlining of academy players to the first team, as has been made evident by the rapid development of Alejandro Garnacho and the first team integration of highly-rated academy prospect Kobbie Mainoo.

This is the sort of hands-on approach that Erik ten Hag had during his time at Ajax, and United share a similar heritage with the Amsterdam club in terms of promoting young players from the academy and establishing them as first team regulars. However, at a club with the expectations and financial muscle of Manchester United, the transfer market will always be the primary source for improving the squad in the immediate term.

Having spent over £200 million on player acquisitions during the 2022 summer transfer window, it was evident that the Dutchman felt the squad needed significant improvement. But as clubs begin planning for the 2023 summer transfer window, it remains clear that United have far more work to do if they are to close the gap on Premier League rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as reestablishing themselves as one of the elite clubs on the European continent. The winter transfer window was always likely to be a quiet one for United. Between the heavy outlay in the summer and the ongoing attempts by the Glazers to sell the club, the recruitment team was forced to focus on short-term loan deals. Thankfully, with the summer comes more available players, greater scope to plan and, in United's case, potential new ownership. Therefore, the question remains: where are the 20-time English champions still deficient and who could they acquire to plug some of the holes in the squad?

I'll be looking at a number of options in various positions of need for the club, ranking said positions in descending order from most to least urgent (in my humble opinion, of course). Many of the valuations I make are simply estimates based on reports and the selling clubs' public stances; they should, therefore, not be taken as factual valuations. So, without further ado, let us have a look at Manchester United's potential 2023 summer transfer window.

DEPARTURES

There are a number of players under contract at Manchester United who likely won't be at the club next season, for one reason or another. As the current season has progressed, it has become increasingly evident who Erik ten Hag relies upon most and who he deems surplus to requirements. As such, a number of players will need to leave the club in order to create space for new arrivals, as well as to generate the money for said arrivals. As was reported by James Ducker of The Telegraph, UEFA Financial Fair Play regulations likely mean that United will need to qualify for the Champions League and sell well in order to spend heavily in the summer, even under prospective new ownership. This is largely due to the club owing up to £307 million on future instalments for transfers — a staggering amount considering the lack of overall positive signings made in recent seasons.

FREE TRANSFERS

United can immediately relieve some of the weight on their wage bill following the expiry of contracts. Axel Tuanzebe has played a bit-part role for the club following his promotion from the academy. He appeared to emerge with loads of potential, but injuries and a lack of development completed halted his progress and he now looks destined for an exit from Old Trafford on a free transfer.

Another player who will see his contract expire this summer is one Phil Jones. In 2019, Jones signed a contract worth a reported £75,000-a-week; a deal that almost immediately became poor value for money. He has essentially become the personification of how poorly run United have been for a decade now and many will hope that, with his exit, so too depart the final vestiges of Manchester United's infamous "banter era".

SALES

Following these two departures, hopefully the club can begin to receive healthy transfer fees for players who are deemed surplus to requirements. One such player who once appeared to have a bright future at Old Trafford is Dean Henderson. The United goalkeeper, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, was once tipped to be the long-term man between the sticks for the Red Devils, even signing a lucrative five-year contract in 2020. Since then, however, competition with David de Gea, fluctuating form, a difficult bout of COVID-19 and supposedly broken promises have fractured Henderson's relationship with his parent club. It appears as though his performances at Nottingham Forest haven't done enough to repair the relationship between player and club, and United have subsequently scouted a number of different goalkeeping options ahead of the summer transfer window.

At just 25 years old, Henderson should attract strong interest from a number of Premier League clubs, including Nottingham Forest, provided they retain their current Premier League status. At his age and with his Premier League experience, United could realistically fetch a fee in the region of £30 million for the shot-stopper and put that towards finding a goalkeeper who better suits Erik ten Hag's style of football.

A fellow Englishman who has failed to adequately impress the manager is the current Manchester United captain, Harry Maguire. Although presented with opportunities early in the season, poor performances and bad team results led to the skipper being replaced in the regular starting XI. Since then, his appearances have been sporadic and largely circumstantial, as Ten Hag has chiefly relied upon his trusted centre-back pairing of Lisandro Martínez and Raphaël Varane. Recently, even Luke Shaw has been selected at centre-back ahead of Harry Maguire, which is a rather damning indictment of the defender's status at the club.

It's become increasingly apparent that Maguire is not a part of his manager's long-term vision for the club and, as such, a summer move would be beneficial for all involved. Maguire is still a key part of the England national team setup and is currently in his prime years, so he should receive interest from various Premier League clubs, with West Ham United having shown interest in a loan deal during the January transfer window. A fee in the region £35 million would likely be deemed a success for United, even if it's significantly lower than the approximate £80 million fee that the club paid to acquire his services from Leicester City in 2019.

It appears as though Manchester United's 2019 summer transfer window won't be remembered too fondly, as yet another player who was signed during that aforementioned window may too be on his way out. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another player who has struggled to meet the requirements of Erik ten Hag's system. He has admittedly experienced an uptick in form in the midst of Diogo Dalot's injury struggles, but his technical limitations are still glaring and there's little room in a Ten Hag side for such limitations. Wan-Bissaka is still an elite 1v1 defender and possesses positive dribbling and ball-carrying attributes; however, his passing and crossing abilities still leave much to be desired, which is particularly harmful when the full-backs are tasked with significant ball progression.

As an English player with significant Premier League experience who has shown the ability to play at a high level, the proficient tackling right-back will certainly have suitors in the transfer market. £25 million would be a respectable return for a player whose contract expires in 2024 (not including United's option for an additional year). Once again, the club would be making a loss, but this would still be a good fee in order to bolster the transfer budget available at Old Trafford this summer.

Academy graduates Anthony Elanga and Scott McTominay could also garner significant interest in the summer. Elanga has struggled to find consistent game-time at United this season and was linked with a loan move to a number of different clubs in January, including Everton and Borussia Dortmund. As time progresses, United's wide positions are likely to be filled with even more players, with Alejandro Garnacho continuing to develop well, Jadon Sancho returning from his club-sanctioned time away and Amad Diallo returning from a successful loan spell with Sunderland. This is all before mentioning mainstays in Marcus Rashford and Antony and it becomes clear that Elanga would be better served with a permanent move elsewhere.

Scott McTominay began the season as Erik ten Hag's first choice holding midfielder, but the integration and consistent quality of Casemiro has limited the Scotsman's minutes. Newcastle United were linked with a move for McTominay during the January transfer window, but Ten Hag was reluctant to let him go due to the lack of depth in midfield. However, after Manchester United have had the opportunity to explore the transfer market in order to strengthen their midfield options, a move to Newcastle (or elsewhere) could become a far more realistic option for the Scotland international.

The sales of Anthony Elanga and Scott McTominay could land Manchester United approximately £20 million for each player — both fees representing significant profits as both players were academy graduates who joined the club without a transfer fee. Elanga will only be 21 years old and a prospective buyer would be investing in his potential, as well as the promising signs he's already shown in the Premier League. Conversely, McTominay is 26 years old and could provide immediate quality to a team requiring a versatile, Premier League proven midfielder in his prime years.

A few more first team players are contracted to United who almost certainly have no future at the club. Eric Bailly and Alex Telles have spent the 2022/23 season on loan and appear to be approaching the ends of their respective United careers. Neither player is likely to garner a large fee, but purely having their wages deducted from the books would be a net positive for the club. Erik ten Hag has replaced — or plans to replace — both players, therefore their sales appear inevitable. The Manchester club would likely be happy to receive £15 million combined for both players due to their ages and contract statuses.

An academy graduate who has scarcely been seen since Erik ten Hag joined the club is Brandon Williams. The full-back has struggled with injuries for several months. With the left-back position well-stocked and Williams not really factoring into the manager's thinking even when available, a sale appears inevitable. The former England youth international is still just 22 years old, therefore the club may be able to receive a fee in the region of £10 million pounds for him.

LOANS

A few youngsters would benefit from loan moves ahead of the 2023/24 season. Álvaro Fernández and Hannibal Mejbri have enjoyed productive loan spells with Preston North End and Birmingham City respectively, but with both players being just 20 years old in the summer and likely facing stiff competition in their respective positions at Manchester United next season, additional loan moves would certainly be beneficial. The jump to Premier League football is a daunting one, and United would likely prefer that the players continue to develop elsewhere before deciding on their place at the club.

Zidane Iqbal and Facundo Pellistri will remain at Old Trafford for the rest of the 2022/23 season, but their opportunities have been scarce and that likely won't change. Both players were linked with January loan moves, but it was clear that Erik ten Hag wasn't keen on weakening his already thin squad ahead of a busy second half of the season. Both players are evidently admired by the manager, as shown by their impressive pre-season displays and regular roles in first team training this season, but the United boss appears to have doubts regarding their readiness for significant minutes at top-level football.

Iqbal and Pellistri could both benefit physically and mentally from loan moves to clubs where they could receive regular first team football. The latter already played a part for the Uruguay national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup despite his lack of opportunities at club level. Looking at the success of Amad Diallo's current loan spell with Sunderland, a fruitful rental of that nature could reignite the Uruguayan's club career, after which a decision can be made that would best serve the futures of both player and club considering United's bloated wide positions.

ARRIVALS

Over the past decade, Manchester United have had far more misses than hits in the transfer market. However, under Erik ten Hag, the vision seems different. For the first time in a very long time, there appears to be an element of understanding which positions require the most attention and a subsequent pursuit of the correct profiles. Based on the course of the season thus far, it's safe to say that the club did well to address certain needs last summer, but, in the same regard, there are evidently more holes that need to be plugged as soon as possible.

I would like to reiterate that the valuations I've made are not pure fact, but, rather, they are estimates based on reliable media reports and indications made by the potential selling clubs, therefore I've made a concerted effort to keep the valuations as accurate and realistic as possible.

And now, the fun part. We'll be taking a look at the positions in which Manchester United need to strengthen and a few realistic targets to bolster these positions.

CENTRE-FORWARD

Centre-forward is the position that has received the most fan and media scrutiny in recent months. Even with Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad, many felt that the Red Devils needed a new option in the position. Following the Portuguese icon's departure, however, it became abundantly clear that Manchester United would require immediate reinforcements up-front, especially with Anthony Martial's particularly unreliable fitness record. The club have found a short-term option in Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, but he appears to be a temporary stopgap more than anything.

It's essential that United invest in a clinical no. 9 in the summer who will serve as an upgrade on Anthony Martial, score goals in a variety of ways and relieve some of the goalscoring burden from the shoulders of Marcus Rashford. The exact profile United pursue will depend on Erik ten Hag's wishes, but I've identified three forwards who could immediately improve Manchester United and should be realistically obtainable when the transfer window re-opens at the end of the season.

HARRY KANE

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane

Harry Kane has irrefutably been one of the very best strikers in the world for nearly a decade now. He is the epitome of a complete forward in the modern game and fulfils a multitude of roles for club and country. Kane is given the freedom to roam from a traditional centre-forward's position and use his playmaking abilities from a variety of zones.

Harry Kane touchmap — source: smarterscout

As shown in the above graphic, Harry Kane is an all-action forward and makes his presence felt throughout the pitch. One of the main benefits of his elite playmaking is his ability to play with other clinical goalscorers, as has been the case with Son Heung-min at Tottenham Hotspur for a number of years. Kane is truly an elite passer of the ball, to the extent that many may argue that, along with Kevin De Bruyne, he's the most dynamic passer of the ball in the Premier League.

Harry Kane's passing — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

The data supports the notion that the England international is a remarkable playmaker and is capable of making passes as a forward that few others in his position are capable of. This serves to benefit inverted wingers and inside forwards coming inside from the flanks, as well as onrushing midfielders pushing forward into the box. One can imagine that the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford would thrive playing alongside a creator as prolific as Harry Kane as both players like to make entries into the box in search goalscoring opportunities.

That said, Kane's world class playmaking occasionally serves to overshadow his all-time great goalscoring volume and consistency. As one of the purest strikers of the ball in world football, any time Harry Kane takes aim at goal, the chances of the net rippling are virtually as high as any footballer in the world. At the time of writing, he has scored a club record 267 goals in 416 appearances for Tottenham Hotspur, as well as equalling Wayne Rooney's record 53 goals in just 80 appearances for the England national team.

He has maintained his excellent goalscoring form this season, scoring 17 goals in 22 Premier League appearances, trailing only the alien numbers of Erling Haaland. Adept with both feet, Kane can take the ball to either side and serve as a threat to opposition goalkeepers. This season, he has been especially clinical in the air, with 8 of his 17 league goals being scored with his head.

Players of Harry Kane's calibre are rarely available at realistic prices, therefore the opportunity at his signature will certainly attract a number of clubs, especially Manchester United. It has been reported by sources close to Tottenham Hotspur that the Englishman could be available for a fee in the region of £80 million as he only has one year remaining on his current deal in North London.

Due to his age and past injury concerns, that figure may be considered steep for United, although it does appear that Kane has largely overcome his injury problems. It's unclear how much longer the England captain can maintain this level of production, but his style of play certainly lends itself to longevity and United would also have the opportunity to soon promote one of their highly-rated academy forwards, such as Charlie McNeill or the newly-acquired Gabriele Biancheri. Whilst reports from the reliable David Ornstein have suggested that Harry Kane may be open to renewing his contract with Tottenham, that will largely depend on how they finish the current season. There's an opportunity for the Red Devils to pursue a deal here, but it will largely depend on the systematic desires of Erik ten Hag.

DUŠAN VLAHOVIĆ

Juventus' Dušan Vlahović

Juventus have (once again) found themselves in significant legal trouble. An investigation into their finances has found irregularities serious enough to warrant a 15-point deduction in the league this season. If this decision stands, it will likely leave The Old Lady outside the Champions League spots, and even the Europa League spots, at the end of the season. The financial impact could be devastating and it could present Manchester United with the opportunity to pursue a talented striker at a cut-price.

Juventus paid an initial fee of €70 million plus add-ons that range anywhere from €10 million to €20 million depending on the outlet reporting the figures. If Dušan Vlahović were to pursue a move away, it's likely that the club would want to breakeven on that investment or recoup as much as possible. This could see United attempt to negotiate a fee in the region of €70 million (~£61.5 million) for the Serbian forward — a far more favourable sum compared to the figures being floated around for other top strikers. A smaller fee on a striker would also justify United splashing the majority of their summer budget on a centre-midfielder.

Vlahović presents a unique profile for United as he's a left-footed striker. This can change the angles of attack compared to United's current centre-forwards — the sort of flexibility that Erik ten Hag craves. The 23-year-old is also a goliath of a forward, standing at 1.90m tall and weighing 83kg according to FBREF.com, whilst also being deceptively quick. These physical characteristics play a major role in his link-up play as the Serb can hold off defenders before playing in teammates; this is especially effective in transition, which is a common occurrence for this Manchester United side. Although he does much of his damage in and around the box, Vlahović does occasionally drop off and receive the ball much like a target man before helping connect his teammates.

Dušan Vlahović touchmap — source: smarterscout

Despite his physique and ability to shield defenders in order to link play, Vlahović is also a good natural passer and can create chances whilst facing the opposition goal, much like a traditional playmaker would. He's no Harry Kane in this respect, but he's capable of playing the role of facilitator and giving his teammates opportunities to score.

Dušan Vlahović assist vs. Salernitana — source: Serie A

For the above goal, the former Fiorentina forward shows his composure and vision in the box to pick out his teammate, Paulo Dybala, for a well-worked Juventus goal. This is a major part of Vlahović's versatility as he's capable of hurting the opposition in a number of different ways. He's a high-intensity player, as shown by his aggression offensively and even the manner in which he celebrates goals, but this doesn't take away from his calmness and poise in front of goal, and it's precisely in front of goal where his value is earned.

Dušan Vlahović goal vs. Empoli — source: BT Sport

The aforementioned poise and composure are on full display for this goal, with Vlahović showing that he's more than just a powerful striker — he's a controlled one too. That said, many of the Serbian striker's finishes are emphatic as he tends to strike through the ball with power, leaving the goalkeeper with little chance of stopping it. He's able to generate real force behind his shots without losing the accuracy that has made him so dangerous in front of goal.

Although his goalscoring record this season may not be the most remarkable, with the Serbia international having scored 8 goals in 12 Serie A appearances, this has largely been due to an injury he suffered earlier in the season, as well as Massimiliano Allegri's more defensive, cautious style-of-play limiting his goalscoring chances. In a side that dominates possession and territory whilst also possessing a threat in transition, I have no doubt that Dušan Vlahović will justify the large fee that would be required to sign him.

Vlahović would likely be a cheaper option than both Harry Kane and the next forward on this list, giving United more flexibility to spend elsewhere. However, all things considered, the following striker may be the perfect fit for Manchester United.

VICTOR OSIMHEN

S.S.C. Napoli's Victor Osimhen

Stylistically, Victor Osimhen is essentially the antithesis of Harry Kane. The Nigerian forward is a penalty box striker who is rarely involved in buildup, instead focusing on being a box presence and occupying opposition defenders.

Victor Osimhen touchmap — source: smarterscout

Osimhen's hunger purely for scoring goals is rare in the modern game. He doesn't require many touches to be effective, instead doing most of his damage in the 18-yard area. Napoli's marksman is enjoying a prolific goalscoring season, scoring 16 goals in just 17 Serie A appearances, whilst registering an additional 4 assists. He's a lightning-quick centre-forward that thrives in transition, but is also quick off the mark and can get on the end of passes against deeper blocks. Moreover, Osimhen is clinical in the air, having scored 5 of his 16 goals with his head this season. Even more impressive was his aerial prowess last season, where he scored half of his 14 league goals with his head.

Victor Osimhen goal vs. Torino — source: BT Sport

The Nigeria international is clearly a lethal centre-forward. He offers a different profile to Anthony Martial as he's constantly moving without the ball, looking for opportunities to score or play simple short passes that link the play and progress the ball forward. He's a constant goal threat, and this is fuelled by the volume of shots he takes and the high-value positions in which he finds himself in front of goal.

Victor Osimhen's shooting — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

Osimhen is, stylistically, rather similar to many of the centre-forwards that Erik ten Hag has favoured in the past. Last season, he leaned heavily on Sébastien Haller for goals at Ajax, and he had periods where he relied upon the likes of Kasper Dolberg and, more pertinently, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The use of Dušan Tadić in the false 9 role was largely a tactical exception for the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League season, but more often than not, the former Ajax coach has preferred a more traditional striker leading the line. Osimhen is the definition of a traditional forward, often playing off the shoulder of the last defender and using his vicious ball-striking to beat goalkeepers.

Victor Osimhen goal vs. AS Roma — source: BT Sport

Osimhen is still just 24 years old so he still has room for improvement in various parts of his game, most notably his playmaking abilities. That said, he's more than capable of linking play and facilitating for his teammates, as reflected by his 4 assists this season.

Napoli will likely make negotiations very difficult as they'll attempt to keep their top goalscorer or receive a record fee for him. With his contract expiring in 2025, this summer would likely be the Naples-based club's final opportunity to receive a nine-figure fee for their no. 9. The oft-reliable Gianluca Di Marzio has stated that Osimhen could cost up to €120 million (~£105 million) for prospective buyers — a figure that may discourage United due to their current FFP situation. Additionally, Osimhen's injury history could serve as another deterrent, as United likely wouldn't want to shatter their transfer record for a player with limited availability.

With Napoli having paid approximately €70 million + €10 million in potential add-ons for the Nigerian striker, they’d likely want to make significant profit on that investment. It would be a very difficult deal for Manchester United, but with Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reporting that Ten Hag favours a quick forward like Victor Osimhen ahead of an all-round playmaker like Harry Kane, this deal is a real possibility.

CENTRE-MIDFIELD

Manchester United attempted to strengthen their midfield last summer with the lengthy, almost-comical pursuit of Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong. This pursuit ultimately bore no fruit and the club instead decided to invest in a defensive midfielder in the form of Casemiro. The Brazilian has been a marvel at Old Trafford, but United will no doubt revisit the opportunity to sign a genuine no. 8 and acquire a midfield partner for Casemiro in the summer.

However, on top of adding a new first-choice no. 8 to the team, United should seek to acquire Adrien Rabiot on a free transfer. Erik ten Hag is evidently a fan of the player considering United attempted to sign him in the summer, having a deal only curtailed by the wage demands made by the player's mother. Provided he decreases his wage demands, it would be a smart deal for the club to pursue. He adds necessary depth and quality to the midfield without requiring a transfer fee.

The Juventus midfielder is an excellent dribbler and ball-carrier, ranking in the 74th percentile in take-ons attempted, 80th percentile in successful take-ons, 83rd percentile in progressive carries and 89th percentile in carries into the final third. He’s also a capable defender, allowing him to play in a number of midfield roles. This season, he’s been a significant goal threat, scoring 7 Serie A goals in 22 appearances from midfield – a trait that is valued by Erik ten Hag in his midfielders. The Frenchman will be 28 in the summer, so he provides valuable experience whilst still having years remaining at the highest level. Under the right circumstances, this would be a fantastic deal for Manchester United.

In the event that Rabiot does become a Manchester United player, it's still crucial that the club invest in a world class midfielder to effectively upgrade on Christian Eriksen in the starting XI.

United will likely want a player considerably younger than Eriksen, who also possesses the tempo-controlling qualities and elite ball retention of the Dane, whilst also upgrading on his dribbling, ball-carrying and overall mobility. A defensive improvement on Eriksen would also be desired, as the Danish midfielder has often been a non-factor defensively in United's big games this season. Enzo Fernández would’ve been an ideal target, but Chelsea moved quickly to acquire his services in January, seemingly to avoid competition in the summer from clubs like United who are known to be shopping for a midfielder.

Regardless, a number of options still exist and it's simply a case of who is desired by the manager and the rest of the recruitment team, as well as who is available at the right price.

JUDE BELLINGHAM

Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham

Jude Bellingham is the crown jewel of the 2023 summer transfer window. He's perhaps the most sought-after player in Europe at the moment and the race for his signature will be a tense one. It's likely that Dortmund will demand at least £100 million for his services, with that figure potentially being pushed even higher by the fees being paid for other players around his age i.e. Enzo Fernández. However, Bellingham's contract expires in 2025 so this summer is likely Dortmund's last chance to receive that record-breaking fee they desire before they begin to lose leverage in negotiations.

Manchester United infamously tried and failed to sign Bellingham from Birmingham City when he was just 16 years old. The club gave him a tour of the training ground at Carrington, and even had him meet Sir Alex Ferguson. All of these attempts were ultimately in vain as the youngster chose to join Borussia Dortmund as he was guaranteed immediate first team football in a top 5 league, as well as the guarantee of regular Champions League football. It goes without saying that United, amongst a host of other clubs, will be back this summer in an attempt to attract the Dortmund superstar to their project.

To put it quite plainly, Jude Bellingham is a complete midfielder. Firstly, he's an offensive machine. This season alone, he's scored 10 goals and contributed an additional 5 assists in 25 appearances in all competitions, including 4 goals and an assist in just 5 UEFA Champions League appearances. He does most of his damage in advanced zones on the pitch, where he can use his superb dribbling abilities, progressive passing and precise finishing to score and create goals.

Jude Bellingham goal vs. DSC Arminia Bielefeld — source: Sky Sports

The above goal displays some of Bellingham's greatest strengths, such as his smooth dribbling, close ball control and composed finishing. He has a unique skillset, especially for a rather tall player, standing at 1.86m tall.

His dribbling and ball-carrying would especially intrigue United as that is a midfield profile the club doesn't currently possess, especially at such a high level. Bellingham ranks in the 98th percentile in both successful take-ons and carries into the penalty area amongst midfielders in Europe's big 5 leagues, the Champions League and the Europa League, according to FBREF.com.

Bellingham isn't the tempo controller or first phase ball progressor that the club were perhaps looking for in Frenkie de Jong, but he's more dynamic and is capable of fulfilling a number of different roles. When using the Premier League as the benchmark, data analytical site smarterscout gives Bellingham an attacking output rating of 97 in the Bundesliga and a rating of 95 in the Champions League. When given the freedom to attack aggressively, the England international is an irresistible force, as supported by the data. His aforementioned height and strong frame give him a physical edge over opponents, and this isn't only the case from an offensive standpoint.

According to Squawka, Bellingham has won the most duels per 90 of any player in Europe's top 5 leagues with at least 1000 minutes played. Bellingham is remarkably tenacious and can get the better of his opponents in a number of ways, namely ground and aerial duels. Bellingham is not a weak defender by any means; in fact, for someone so offensively gifted, he's a very strong defender and that can be seen in his performances, as well as with the support of data. Once again with the Premier League benchmark, Smarterscout gives the Dortmund midfielder defending quality ratings of 94 and 96 in the Bundesliga and Champions League, respectively. He's the embodiment of a complete midfielder and can realistically fit into the midfield of virtually every team in Europe, especially the most elite teams who will be vying for his signature this summer.

Jude Bellingham radar — source: Cannon Stats

If Manchester United hope to sign Bellingham, they'll need to be prepared for competition from some of Europe's heavy hitters. Real Madrid and Liverpool appear to be leading the race for his signature, although the latter's chances may hinge on whether or not they can secure Champions League football for next season. Manchester City have also reportedly shown significant interest in the England star as they look to revitalise their ageing midfield. It is evident, however, that wherever Jude Bellingham ends up this summer, he'll instantly transform and elevate his side's midfield.

FRENKIE DE JONG

FC Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong

And so, the saga continues. It is blindingly obvious that Frenkie de Jong is Erik ten Hag's dream target at Manchester United. The club spent nearly the entirety of last summer's transfer window pursuing the Dutch midfielder, including having executives make trips to Barcelona in order to discuss the deal. United and Barcelona eventually agreed a fee last summer worth €75 million + €10 million in add-ons, but all of this was ultimately done in vain as Frenkie de Jong did not want to leave Barcelona. So, some may be asking, what would have changed between then and now?

Well, crucially, Barcelona's financial troubles have continued and it has been reported by Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo that La Liga have told Barcelona that they must reduce their wage bill by €150-200 million ahead of the 2023/24 season, and they cannot activate any economic levers to do so. This means it is likely that the Catalan giants must make a big sale in the summer, and that brings us back to Frenkie de Jong.

When one considers that United and Barcelona already agreed a fee for De Jong last summer, there's no reason to imagine such a deal couldn't happen again, even if Barcelona were request slightly more money due to other big money deals occurring throughout Europe. Perhaps €85 million + €5 million in add-ons (~£80 million altogether) would be enough to convince both clubs to agree a deal once more, and the decision would come back to Frenkie de Jong. With the club publicly willing to part company with the midfielder, there's a chance that his resolve breaks and he's attracted enough by his former coach's project in Manchester.

Stylistically, the acquisition of Frenkie de Jong would make complete sense for Manchester United. He'd play Christian Eriksen's current role, but is still in his early prime and is also a better natural fit for the no. 8 role. As mentioned in the case of Declan Rice, De Jong also likes to drop deep in the left half-space and receive possession early so he can orchestrate attacks. However, he's also shown that he can play higher in the half-space, ranking in the 82nd percentile in progressive passes received amongst midfielders in Europe’s big 5 leagues, the Champions League and Europa League.

Whilst he has been primarily deployed as a left centre-midfielder at Barcelona, he's also occasionally been moved to the right. Regardless, he has a clear preference for the left side and does much of his best work there.

Frenkie de Jong touchmap — source: smarterscout

As has been a common trait amongst the midfielders I've linked with United here, Frenkie de Jong is a fantastic dribbler and ball-carrier. These are likely his greatest strengths as a footballer as, according to FBREF.com, the Dutchman completes 1.32 successful take-ons per 90 from midfield at a success rate of 72.9%, which ranks him in the 89th and 95th percentiles for completions and percentage amongst midfielders in Europe's big 5 leagues and elite European competitions. He also ranks in the 99th percentile for total progressive carrying distance at 186.37 metres per 90, demonstrating that he is one of the best ball-carriers in the world.

During his time at Ajax, De Jong had the freedom to receive deep and carry the ball long distances as a sort of roaming playmaker. This roaming nature may be a major reason he hasn’t fit in as well in Xavi’s stringent positional play system. Pedri and Gavi are more disciplined positionally when Barcelona are in possession, which is more favourable to Xavi's structure. At Manchester United, De Jong would likely receive much of the same freedom he received under Ten Hag at Ajax.

It's important to note that De Jong is a bonafide dual threat as a passer and ball-carrier. He's an excellent, high-volume passer whilst commonly looking for progressive passes between the lines.

Frenkie de Jong's passing — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

The Netherlands international can comfortably control the tempo of the game, as well as make penetrative passes to unlock stubborn opposition blocks. He also ranks in the 93rd percentile for through balls amongst midfielders, a particularly valuable trait with runners like Rashford and Garnacho often playing on his side of the pitch.

Although it is likely the weakest part of his game, De Jong is still an underrated defender, with smarterscout giving him a defending quality rating of 84 in the league this season when using the Premier League as the benchmark competition. Although he isn't particularly a high value defender, he is more than capable when called upon, and would also benefit from having a destroyer in the form of Casemiro next to him. De Jong can also fill in in defensive midfield if Casemiro is unavailable, particularly in games where United dominate possession and territory and can therefore use De Jong's abilities as a passer and controller of tempo. This exemplifies how well-rounded he is as a midfielder and his vast array of valuable skills in a possession-based system.

Frenkie de Jong radar — source: Cannon Stats

As Frenkie de Jong will be 26 years old in the summer, United would hypothetically be getting a world class player in his prime, but with many highly productive years still ahead of him. The Christian Eriksen-role upon which Erik ten Hag is looking to upgrade requires a rather specific skillset, and Frenkie de Jong epitomises that skillset perfectly. That said, as things stand, De Jong appears determined to remain at Barcelona and, unless the aforementioned financial problems force the club to make a sale, he’ll likely resist a move to Manchester as he did last summer. If that is the case, United will have to continue their search for a player with a similar skillset who can fill the desired role.

DECLAN RICE

West Ham United's Declan Rice

Another Englishman who will be in high demand this summer is West Ham United's Declan Rice. Rice has repeatedly expressed his desire to play football at the highest level, namely in the UEFA Champions League and, as such, he has refused to renew his deal in East London. The Hammers will likely seek a fee in the region of €100 million (~£85 million) for their star man, and that already limits the number of teams capable of making a bid. That said, the pool of teams was always likely to be small considering Rice will want to guarantee a chance at regular Champions League football. One such team is Manchester United, and the fit for player and club would be a solid one.

Rice loves to drop deep in the left half-space in the first phase of possession and regularly receive the ball in order to initiate attacks. This is a big reason why his pass volume and accuracy are considerably high, despite playing for a West Ham United side that is not particularly possession-dominant.

Declan Rice touchmap — source: smarterscout

This left half-space is the part of the pitch that Christian Eriksen regularly occupies in Erik ten Hag's system. Rice could seamlessly fit into the role whilst also vastly improving upon Eriksen's defensive contributions. Some have criticised Rice's technical level, but smarterscout gives him a ball retention rating of 91 in the Premier League this season; he also had a rating of 93 last season. Rice is technically secure, but also notably forward-thinking and progressive. He's a fantastic ball-carrier, using his power and close control to break lines with ease — once again, a skillset lacking in United's midfield. Offensively, his ball-carrying is his most impressive and effective attribute, and that's shown statistically as well.

Declan Rice's carries — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

Declan Rice goal vs. Dinamo Zagreb — source: BT Sport

Rice's strength and speed make for a dangerous combination, and he's still capable of picking out a pass between the lines or a switch across the field.

There are still question marks regarding whether the England international operates better as a no. 6 or a no. 8 — I prefer the latter — but that versatility only serves to make him more valuable, especially to a coach like Erik ten Hag. He may not have the final third proficiency of a Jude Bellingham, but that hasn't been his primary role and likely wouldn't be at Manchester United. He would provide midfield control, defensive solidity, penetrative ball-carrying and, as current West Ham United captain, he'd add intangible leadership qualities that are currently of high value at Old Trafford.

At just 24 years old, Declan Rice still has room to improve on certain aspects of his game and is likely only just creeping into his prime years now. Arsenal are reportedly showing strong interest in the midfielder and he's been a long-term target OF Chelsea's, so the competition for his signature would be stiff, but he'd be an excellent stylistic fit for Erik ten Hag's side and fits a profile that is currently missing at Old Trafford.

GOALKEEPER

David de Gea has been Manchester United's no. 1 for over a decade now and he's enjoyed some truly astonishing seasons during that time. However, it's safe to say that his best years are behind him and it's time for Manchester United to find an upgrade on the Spaniard or, at the very least, a player who can provide genuine competition between the sticks. Although there have been marginal improvements to his all-round game, it's evident that De Gea has struggled to cope with the demands of being a modern goalkeeper in an Erik ten Hag system. His sweeping and distribution have been particular weak points and any replacement would need to excel in these areas.

The goalkeeping market isn't vast, but I've identified two players who could be realistic targets for United and who would be stylistic and qualitative upgrades on David de Gea.

DIOGO COSTA

FC Porto's Diogo Costa

The 2022 FIFA World Cup wasn't the best advertisement of Diogo Costa's abilities. He made a number of errors during the tournament, including a crucial one that led to Morocco's game-winning goal in the quarter-finals. These disappointing outings likely evoked some worry amongst club scouts watching the Portuguese stopper regarding whether he'd be prepared for football at the highest level. It doesn't help that Costa recently signed a new contract with Porto which includes an increased release clause of €75 million (~£65 million), making it even more difficult to acquire his services. He would be a very expensive goalkeeping option, but, at just 23 years old, he certainly has a considerably high ceiling despite his concerning errors.

Costa has been linked with Manchester United for some time now, as he's clearly a stylistic fit of the right age profile. The Porto star is a key player for his club and the first-choice goalkeeper for a nation with a number of goalkeeping options. He's the quintessential modern goalkeeper and that's supported by the advanced data.

Costa is an extremely aggressive and proficient sweeper, often coming well off his line to clear danger. This is an ideal trait for an Erik ten Hag side that wants to play high up the pitch, often leaving space behind the defensive line. Because of David de Gea's sweeping deficiencies, United have often been forced to play with a deeper defensive line, but Costa would alleviate many of these issues.

Diogo Costa's sweeping — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in next 8 men's competitions per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

On top of being an excellent sweeper, Costa is aggressive when collecting crosses — another area in which De Gea struggles. This takes pressure off the defenders, especially in set-piece situations, when a goalkeeper confidently takes charge of his own 6-yard area.

One of Costa's greatest strengths is his distribution. He's very comfortable on the ball in short pass situations and, notably, possesses the ability to play accurate long balls to outlets in order to spring quick attacks — a skill that would be exceedingly valuable with a player like Marcus Rashford.

Diogo Costa assist vs. Bayer Leverkusen — source: BT Sport

This ball-playing ability is a staple amongst the best modern goalkeepers in football today. Manchester City's Ederson is renowned for his accurate long balls and their ability to catch opponents off-guard. Diogo Costa would provide a similar threat and make United's attack even more dynamic. But, more importantly, he's comfortable playing around a press and finding open players, especially with chipped passes to full-backs to evade an aggressive press.

Costa is still young and, therefore, has mistakes to iron out, but that's something that can be coached and competition with a goalkeeper of De Gea's reputation would only serve to improve the Portugal international. His price tag may serve as a deterrent, but he'd essentially fill the goalkeeping position for a decade. That certainly gives United a decision to make with regards to overall spending.

DAVID RAYA

Brentford's David Raya

Brentford's Spanish stopper presents a far cheaper option than Diogo Costa. This summer, he'll reportedly be available for a fee in the region of £15-20 million due to his contract expiring in 2024. He's a Premier League proven goalkeeper and, at 27 years old, he brings experience whilst still having many of his prime years ahead of him. As a fellow Spaniard, he would hopefully form a strong connection with David de Gea as they compete for the no. 1 spot at Old Trafford. However, is David Raya as good a stylistic fit for Manchester United as Diogo Costa would be?

Firstly, Raya's distribution is excellent. He's highly trusted in buildup at Brentford and also possesses the accuracy to find target men like Ivan Toney with long balls.

David Raya's distribution — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

As mentioned prior, goalkeeping distribution is a key component of Erik ten Hag's style of play, and Raya would be a seamless fit in that respect. However, he isn't as dominant as Costa as a sweeper, ranking in the 60th percentile in defensive actions outside the penalty area, although this may be a result of the system in which Raya plays for Brentford and what his demands are in a team that is not nearly as dominant as Porto are in the Primeira Liga in Portugal.

Standing at 1.83m tall, some may have concerns regarding Raya's ability to claim crosses. This is by no means a towering height for a goalkeeper, but Raya faces few problems claiming crosses in a league with many dominant aerial threats.

David Raya's cross claiming — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

As the data shows, David Raya faces a high volume of crosses, but also stops a high volume of crosses per 90. This is arguably the biggest weakness of David de Gea's game, so bringing in a player who's elite in this department would be of tremendous value. His shot-stopping mustn't go unnoticed either, as he boasts a 78.4% save percentage, ranking in the 92nd percentile amongst qualifying goalkeepers.

At his reported price and for the quality he's shown, David Raya would be a fantastic acquisition. United would likely face competition from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, but, should they fend off that competition, they would be receiving a superb goalkeeper at a steal.

CENTRE-BACK

With the likely sale of Harry Maguire this summer, Manchester United will need to reinforce their defensive options. Moreover, Varane is turning 30 years old and it's been reported that Erik ten Hag would like to bring in a young centre-back who would, presumably, deputise Varane before eventually succeeding him.

This centre-back should be a right centre-back and, ideally, possess much of Varane's recovery pace and elite defensive anticipation, as well as being comfortable on the ball with the natural ability to play as a progressive centre-back in possession.

ARMEL BELLA-KOTCHAP

Southampton's Armel Bella-Kotchap

As Southampton continue to battle relegation, there will doubtless be a number of clubs eyeing some of their better performing players. Few players are likely to receive more attention than 21-year-old Armel Bella-Kotchap. The young defender has been hugely impressive for the Saints since joining from VfL Bochum last summer for approximately £8.5 million. If Southampton do go down, cashing in on the young German may be one of the few ways that the club can receive a large fee for a player. With his contract only expiring in 2026, the Saints would likely still look to make a large profit on the youngster. A bid in the region of £40 million may be enough to acquire his services, but would he be worth that sort of investment?

Potential buyers will be encouraged by the fact that Bella-Kotchap will have a full season of Premier League football under his belt come the summer. He's also already made his international debut for the German national team, therefore experience playing high-level football is not an issue.

Bella-Kotchap is truly a towering presence on the pitch, standing at 1.90m tall with a very muscular frame. It's for this reason that the centre-back possesses such tremendous strength and power, which he often uses to stifle opposition forwards. Despite his large size, he's still very quick and covers vast amounts of ground rapidly. He's an all-round great athlete and that athleticism gives him a palpable advantage when defending.

That said, the Paris-born defender doesn't only excel physically, but also mentally. He reads the game extremely well and is adept at sniffing out danger before it can really develop.

Armel Bella-Kotchap interception vs. Chelsea — source: Premier League

Bella-Kotchap ranks in the 98th percentile in interceptions amongst centre-backs in Europe’s big 5 leagues and elite European competitions. He's statistically proficient at preventing danger and that is a result of his astute reading of the game. If he were to make the move to Manchester United, this attribute would be crucial as he would spend much of the game higher up the pitch, having to identify danger quickly in order to prevent counter-attacks. His defensive skillset would make him a natural fit in a more adventurous system.

In possession, he still has much room for improvement. He isn't much of a progressive passer, instead preferring to play simple short passes or make long clearances to alleviate danger. This may also be a symptom of Southampton's style of play, but the data doesn't support Bella-Kotchap as much of an upgrade in possession on Raphaël Varane.

This alone could be a deal-breaker for Erik ten Hag as technical security is vital to how he wants to play. Bella-Kotchap is still just 21 years old so certain attributes can still be coached, but, at this time, it's certainly a weakness in his game. If the United manager is adamant on an elite ball-playing centre-back, a particular teenager in Italy is emerging as just that.

GIORGIO SCALVINI

Atalanta's Giorgio Scalvini

Atalanta have unearthed the potential next great Italian defender. At just 19 years old, Giorgio Scalvini has already made 40 appearances for Atalanta's first team, as well as 3 appearances for the Italian national team. The term "generational" is often overused, but Scalvini may very well be a generational defender. He's already emerged as one of the best centre-backs in Serie A as just a teenager, and he's only scratching the surface of his potential.

Scalvini is an incredible technician in possession. He's already one of the best passers of the football for his position in Europe. He's adept with both feet and incredibly progressive, playing a major role in Atalanta's buildup.

Giorgio Scalvini's passing — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

Scalvini's technical abilities are at the level of a creative midfielder and, for this reason, Atalanta have experimented with playing the Italian starlet in midfield. Erik ten Hag has recently stated that he wants his centre-backs to be able to step into the midfield positions if needed, as we recently saw with Victor Lindelöf. Scalvini possesses the ability to comfortably play as a deep-lying midfielder, further improving United's midfield depth.

Physically, Scalvini has a similar profile to Varane. He's a very tall defender, standing at 1.94m tall. This could help the Italian youngster learn certain defending mechanisms from the Frenchman due to their similar builds. Scalvini also has particularly long legs that allow him to cover ground quickly with his long strides and reach balls that may otherwise be too far away, especially when making tackles. He's an extremely proactive and proficient tackler, despite not possessing standout traditional athleticism.

Giorgio Scalvini's tackling — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

Scalvini uses his impeccable timing and anticipation to read situations and make tackles at a high volume. He also ranks in the 91st percentile in interceptions, therefore, much like the aforementioned Armel Bella-Kotchap, he can sniff out danger early and make the necessary defensive action.

It has been reported by various Italian media outlets that Atalanta want at least €40 million (~£35 million) for their academy gem, but it wouldn't be surprising if they sought to receive a bit more from a financial heavyweight like Manchester United. Therefore, United could expect to pay up to £40 million for the burgeoning star, which would be great value for money if they're receiving a potential world class player still in his teenage years.

JURRIËN TIMBER

AFC Ajax's Jurriën Timber

Jurriën Timber was heavily pursued by Manchester United early in the 2022 summer transfer window. Erik ten Hag is unsurprisingly a huge admirer of the defender and has spoken highly of his leadership skills despite the player still being just 21 years old. With all of these facts in consideration, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Red Devils reignited their pursuit of the Dutchman in the coming summer. Ajax are difficult negotiators so any deal would require a considerable fee. Last summer, the Dutch centre-back's valuation was reportedly in the region of £30 million, so one could imagine that amount increasing, despite his contract expiring in 2025. A bid of up to £40 million may be required to agree a deal with the Amsterdam club, but one would imagine that fee is within United's budget.

Much like Giorgio Scalvini, Timber’s ball-playing abilities really stand out. He plays a major role in buildup for his club and has the ability to comfortably step forward into midfield positions too.

Jurriën Timber's passing — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in next 8 men's competitions per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

It is to be expected that Timber is an elite passer considering his importance to Erik ten Hag’s Ajax system that required technically secure players in all positions. He would be relied on to do much of the same under his former coach at Manchester United too, though the step up to Premier League football can be daunting.

Physically, Timber is a very impactful player. He’s deceptively strong even when facing the biggest and strongest forwards. He also possesses much of the recovery pace and duel proficiency that we’ve seen from Raphaël Varane, which will be important if he’s to deputise the former France international.

Now, his height cannot be ignored. Standing at just 1.79m tall, he would make for a very short Premier League centre-back pairing with Lisandro Martínez in the long term. This does beg the question: would Jurriën Timber be better served becoming a right-back permanently?

Timber occasionally played as a right-back under Erik ten Hag at Ajax due to his versatility and comfort in the role. He has the physical and technical requirements for the position and looked just as comfortable at right-back as he did at centre-back. A permanent positional change could help him better adjust to the demands of Premier League football and that is something Ten Hag would surely consider. He would also slot into United’s 3-1-6 shape in possession on the right side of the back 3 due to his natural skillset as a centre-back, whilst also possessing the ability to step into midfield if the shape sees a personnel change which is common due to the fluidity of the system.

The question of acquiring Timber as a right-back is a nice segue into another one of United’s positional needs: right-back.

RIGHT-BACK

Timber could comfortably fill the inverted full-back role that Diogo Dalot occupies for United, as well as providing centre-back depth if needed. He also has the pace and defensive acumen to challenge the best wingers in the league and come out on top. However, the club may decide to pursue a more natural right-back instead, and they have already been strongly linked with one in recent months who would provide a massive offensive boost to the right-back position.

JEREMIE FRIMPONG

Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong

Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong. His contract expires in 2025 and the oft-reliable Fabrizio Romano has reported that the right-back could be available for £25 million, which would arguably be a bargain for a player of his quality at the age of just 22 years old. He would also contribute to Manchester United's homegrown quota due to his years in Manchester City’s academy, and these are always important considerations when making transfer decisions.

Frimpong is a fantastic attacking full-back. He’s lightning quick with and without the ball; it is no hyperbole to suggest that he may be one of the quickest players in Europe. This makes him particularly dangerous as an overlapping full-back as his runs are difficult to track, and this is his favourite avenue through which to attack the opposition. However, he’s also a very capable inverted full-back underlapping a wide winger, which would be a common move for him at United when partnered with Antony on the right flank.

The Dutch full-back is a tremendous dribbler and ball-carrier, and these attributes are naturally strengthened by his quickness. He often has the beating of his man in 1v1 situations, but he’s also a strong dribbler in tight spaces when under pressure. As has been repeatedly expressed, this technical proficiency is invaluable to Erik ten Hag and would make Frimpong a natural fit at United.

Jeremie Frimpong's take-ons + carries — source: FBREF.com (powered by Opta)

*compared with positional peers in Europe's big 5 leagues, UCL + UEL per 90

**statistics calculated over the last 365 days

The Dutchman is a high risk, high reward dribbler so this results in a number of turnovers and dispossessions. This is an area of his game that he could clean up, but at his age, he can still be coached out of bad habits. He tends to move rather quickly between the phases and could learn to slow play down better to prevent attacking too quickly when options aren’t plentiful.

Frimpong's small frame lends itself to his low centre of gravity and the former Netherlands youth international can use his incredible agility to turn into open space and find room to attack.

Jeremie Frimpong assist vs. FC Augsburg — source: Sky Sport DE

The above goal puts Frimpong's attacking strength and technical ability in full view. He's extremely productive in the final third, often getting heavily involved in goalscoring moves. According to FBREF.com, he ranks in the 99th percentile in non-penalty expected goals (non-penalty xG) per 90 and the 93rd percentile in expected assisted goals (xAG) per 90 amongst qualifying full-backs. These are truly elite statistics and puts on full display how special an attacking full-back the young Dutchman is. He would add tremendous value to United on that end. He could still work on the defensive side of his game, as he’s certainly no Aaron Wan-Bissaka on that end. However, his value in attack far outweighs his defensive deficiencies, especially in a United side that will look to dominate most games.

Frimpong would be a magnificent addition to the full-back department at Old Trafford and it’s certainly no surprise that the club retain a significant interest in the Bayer Leverkusen star.

CONCLUSION

Based on total estimated transfer fees, Manchester United could have a negative net spend in the region of £150 million. Without knowing the club's exact FFP flexibility, this seems a realistic amount for serious Premier League and Champions League contenders, provided the club can structure the fees to be paid over a longer period of time.

If some of these suggestions are taken on, United could enter the 2023/24 season looking like this:

Manchester United potential 25-man squad (2023/24)

Note: I didn’t include Donny van de Beek in the departures or remaining squad due to his long-term injury. We know he’s out for at least the rest of the season, but his injury appears likely to be an ACL tear which would rule him out for nearly the entire calendar year. He’d likely be unable to be sold in the summer, but he’s another player the club should look to move on from as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the move simply hasn't worked out and Erik ten Hag should plan without him.

United’s summer business should make the squad younger overall whilst improving the quality of depth. This particular version of the 25-man squad would have an average age of 25.88, which is a strong balance between youth and experience.

Kobbie Mainoo has already begun his integration into the first team and will supplement the midfield well. He should stay and get spot minutes in cup competitions whilst continuing to learn the system under Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff.

Amad Diallo can return from his currently successful loan spell with Sunderland and compete for a place on the right-wing and in the attacking midfield position. His versatility will help him earn minutes and put real pressure on his positional peers.

Both Victor Lindelöf and Anthony Martial will be playing for their United careers. The former will likely be replaced in the long term by a left-footed centre-back, but he still provides a solid backup option for now.

In the case of Anthony Martial, with United’s option to extend his contract by a year, his deal realistically expires in 2025. This gives the Frenchman one more season to prove his fitness and availability, but United will seriously need to look at alternatives in 2024.

The 2023 summer transfer window will certainly be a busy one at Old Trafford, as is necessary. Most would agree that Erik Ten Hag has exceeded expectations during his first season in charge, but he’s now set a standard for United to compete on all fronts going forward. In order to do so, the squad must be strengthened and money must be spent. If he’s adequately backed in the transfer market, the Dutchman can certainly set United up to compete with Europe’s very best by the time the 2023/24 season begins.