Manchester United are facing a major summer in the transfer market as they look to continue their squad overhaul in their bid to challenge for the Premier League title again.
With Champions League football next season all but guaranteed – United need just two points from their final four games – the calibre of player they can attract is much higher.
United are looking to offload at least five players in Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, with Casemiro leaving as a free agent.
Here are several upgrades United are hoping to land in key positions, as they continue their revival and try to remain on course to win the Premier League in 2028 – to coincide with the club's 150th anniversary.
Midfield
Outgoing: Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte
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Potential upgrades: Elliot Anderson, Aurelien Tchouameni, Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba
With Casemiro departing at the end of the season when his contract is up and Manuel Ugarte available to buy after proving a £50million flop, United are in the market for TWO new midfielders this summer.
Finances and, in particular, the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability [PSR] rules will have an effect on the amount United can spend this summer, but Nottingham Forest's Anderson and Real Madrid's Tchouameni would be a dream double signing and a significant upgrade on their current midfield options.
Forest's rumoured £120million valuation of Anderson is likely to put off many clubs, United included, with Tchouameni having emerged as a more viable option, at around £70million.
The France international, 26, operates as a midfield anchor for Real, but also has a goal threat and would be the perfect replacement for Casemiro, who has scored nine times in his final season at United. Newcastle's Sandro Tonali and Brighton's Carlos Baleba are also players United are looking at.
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Left Wing
Outgoing: Marcus Rashford, Amad
Potential upgrades: Yan Diomande, Anthony Gordon, Morgan Rogers, Karou Mitoma
United head coach Michael Carrick, still waiting to learn if he will land the job full-time this summer, admitted before his side's defeat at Newcastle that the lack of depth and quality on the left of their attack was something the club will look to address in the transfer market this summer.
There is no shortage of candidates who could fill the void on the left of United's attack and make themselves a first-choice pick there.
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon has his heart set on a big move this summer and United could move for the England international, who has attracted interest from Arsenal. One of the quickest players in the Premier League, he would be an immediate upgrade on the left wing for United.
Gordon's England team-mate, Morgan Rogers, is another candidate for the position, the Aston Villa attacker having impressed this season.
RB Leipzig's 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande is a player United continue to monitor, while Brighton's Karou Mitoma could be an option.
Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, could be reintegrated into United's squad, with the La Liga leaders said to be unsure about taking up their option to sign him permanently this summer.
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Left-back
Outgoing: Tyrell Malacia
Potential upgrades: Myles Lewis-Skelly, Tyrick Mitchell, Antonee Robinson, El Hadji Malicl Diouf
With Tyrrell Malacia leaving this summer, Patrick Dorgu now seen as an attacking option rather than a wing-back as he was under former boss Ruben Amorim, and a recognition that Luke Shaw, 30, who is currently first-choice, needs competition for his place, United are on the look-out for a left-back.
Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly, currently out of favour under Mikel Arteta, is an option, as are Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell and Fulham's USA international Antonee Robinson.
Another target that has emerged as a viable option for United is West Ham's El Hadji Malick Diouf, signed last summer for £20million, with the 21-year-old the perfect age profile for United who are, in the main, looking to strengthen with young players who have the potential to grow and develop, with the added attraction of having resale value.
Striker
Outgoing: Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee
Potential upgrades: Harry Kane, Jean-Phillpe Mateta, Igor Thiago
With Benjamin Sesko taking time to adapt to his role as United's first-choice striker, United are exploring the option of bringing in an experienced striker this summer to ease the burden on the 22-year-old Slovenia international.
Sesko has nine goals in his last 14 games, but there is a feeling he would benefit from an older forward to share the load with him, given he will have to cope with the additional pressure of Champions League fixtures next season.
With Harry Kane's contract talks at Bayern Munich said to have stalled, Europe's top clubs are on alert should the prolific England captain be available this summer.
Other potential targets to ease the pressure on Sesko and allow him to develop without leading the line without any proper back-up include Crystal Palace's Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Brentford's Igor Thiago, valued at around £45million.
Topics: Spotlight
David McDonnell