Manchester United evidently needs to make a much needed touch on their squad in the bid to provide Erik Ten Hag with players who will suit his philosophy and help out when the most preferred first team players aren't available.
It's a good thing injuries and suspensions helped expose the much-needed corrections that are needed in Erik Ten Hag's process of rebuilding the Red Devils team. Gladly, the Dutch tactician has made serious progress since his arrival from Ajax, and ending the Red Devils' six-year trophy drought is proof of what the 53-year-old and the club are planning.
Injuries to Donny Van De Beek left Bruno Fernandes as the only attacking midfielder in the squad. Winger Jadon Sancho has been occasionally instilled in that role, but he is yet to make an impact like his Portuguese counterpart. Christian Eriksen's long period on the sidelines and Casemiro's suspension have also indicated that clearly Erik Ten Hag needs to blow up his midfield department.
The absence of the midfield duo has been heavily felt by the fans, as no one has successfully impacted and influenced games like they do. However, there's still Scott McTominay, Fred, and Marcel Sabitzer in the club's midfield ranks. They have all gotten bits of the attributes they offer to the club while on the pitch, but they will never match Casemiro and Eriksen's intensity. Although Scott McTominay is being linked with a move to Newcastle United,
The defense is looking like there will be exits and new faces at the end of the 2023 summer transfer window. Team captain Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are being linked with moves away from Old Trafford. Both lost their places in the team and have barely featured this season. While the Red Devils are being linked with the likes of Napoli's Kim Min Jae, there are still the likes of Will Fish in Manchester United's academy, although he is currently on loan at Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.
Manchester United's right back position has been contested between Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka; both players are just two opposite sides of the same coin, and Erik Ten Hag has come to understand them better as the season has gone by, given the manner in which he has utilized them during the Red Devils' run of congested fixtures.
Although Man United are linked with players who will be an upgrade for both; Bayern Leverkusen's Jeremy Frimpong and Inter Milan's Dumfries, it's yet to be seen which of the two right backs will exit Old Trafford.
David De Gea, Manchester United's record clean sheet holder, is yet to pen a new deal with the club. While the media are linking Manchester United with the likes of Porto's Diogo Costa and Brentford's Daya, the 31-year-old Spaniard has shown he isn't a modern-day goalkeeper with how poor his ball distribution is but is still as solid as ever between the sticks. Erik Ten Hag will need to make a decision about the Red Devils' No. 1, who is ready to accept pay cuts just to remain at Old Trafford.
Manchester United still have massive prospects in their academy and youth team to be exploited. Some are already sending messages back to Old Trafford with their amazing displays on their loan stints.
Erik Ten Hag's possession-based football hasn't really materialized at Old Trafford as a result of the players at his disposal, not disrespect for what they have achieved as a team, but with the arrival of a new ownership at the end of the season and the need to find perfect players as Erik Ten Hag has tagged most of United's past signings as average, there would certainly be a clear out within the squad come next summer.
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