Manchester United have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes under Erik ten Hag this season following a dismal campaign last time out. The Dutchman will be looking to bolster his squad over the summer as his team go in search of domestic and European trophies next time around. And Express Sport takes a look at how the Red Devils’ 25-man squad could look next season if Mason Mount and five other players join the club during the summer transfer window.
Goalkeepers – RAYA, De Gea, Heaton
With David de Gea prone to the odd error these days, Ten Hag could attempt to get his hands on a new goalkeeper this summer. United have been linked with David Raya, who looks set to leave Brentford at the end of the campaign.
Raya has impressed for the Bees since helping them win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and has kept 19 clean sheets in 61 top-flight appearances for the side. And he could even prise the No 1 jersey away from De Gea if he did opt to join United. That could mean Dean Henderson departs the club, while Tom Heaton sticks around as the third-choice shot-stopper.
Defenders – Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, KIM, Lindelof, Shaw, Malacia
Ten Hag will need at least eight homegrown players to ensure United can register a 25-man Premier League squad. And that could make him more likely to keep hold of Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The defender was available for transfer last summer but has reportedly impressed his manager in recent months so could become the first-choice right-back next time around. Diogo Dalot is likely to remain at the club, while left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia will also be included in the Red Devils squad.
Ten Hag could be keen to strengthen in the centre of defence, especially if Harry Maguire is moved on after dropping down the pecking order at the club. United could go after 26-year-old Min-Jae Kim, who helped Napoli win the Serie A title this season, and name him alongside Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof in their squad.
Midfielders – Casemiro, Fred, Eriksen, McTominay, Fernandes, Van de Beek, MOUNT, RABIOT
Ten Hag will be hoping Mount can transform his attack if he does manage to land the England international. The 24-year-old Champions League winner could be joined at Old Trafford by Juventus star Adrien Rabiot, who is out of contract this summer and has been linked with the Manchester outfit since last year.
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro will be key players for United once again next time around, while Fred, Scott McTominay and Christian Eriksen are also likely to form part of the squad. And Donny van de Beek could still be a United player next season as Ten Hag will need to call upon plenty of players to navigate every competition.
Forwards – KANE, FERGUSON, Rashford, Sancho, Antony, Elanga
United have struggled in front of goal this season and are by far the lowest scorers of all the teams in the top six of the Premier League. Ten Hag will be desperate for an out-and-out goalscorer to take his side to the next level and could wrestle Harry Kane away from Tottenham. Brighton youngster Evan Ferguson has also been linked with the Red Devils and could offer the club a longer-term solution to their forward woes if he were to join.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony will be named in the 25-man squad, while Anthony Elanga will also be hopeful of being in Ten Hag’s plans if the club decide not to sign Wout Weghorst on a permanent deal.
That means the likes of Phil Jones, Anthony Martial and Alex Telles could be heading for the Old Trafford exit, while Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri won’t need to be registered in the 25-man Premier League contingent due to their age.
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