How Man Utd could line up after 2024 summer transfer window

Despite having spent the majority of the campaign with their heads in their hands, Manchester United supporters finished the season with their arms flailing wildly in the air.

An eighth-placed Premier League finish, an embarrassing Champions League campaign and consistently dire performances were swiftly swept under the rug as the Red Devils lifted the FA Cup, beating local rivals Manchester City in the showpiece event at Wembley Stadium.

Erik ten Hag was reportedly facing the sack regardless of the outcome of the FA Cup final, yet there remains uncertainty over who will reside in the Old Trafford dugout next term. Team that with a squad in desperate need of improvements as they prepare to juggle the Europa League and domestic duties, and it's likely to be an action-packed summer in Manchester.

Here is how Man Utd could set up next season following the 2024 summer transfer window.

Goalkeeper & defenders

Man Utd could do with some fine-tuning in the defensive department. They have already seen Raphael Varane depart on a free transfer and Jonny Evans very possibly following in his footsteps, while injuries across the backline wreaked havoc last term.

There is expected to be significant movement in the market from Man Utd this summer, although Andre Onana is almost certain to be the club's first-choice goalkeeper having only signed at the start of last season. The Cameroon international's performances have been questionable but the club's significant investment means they simply can't afford to replace him.

Assuming for the time being that Ten Hag is in charge next season, Man Utd will continue to operate with a back four in a 4-2-3-1 setup. At left-back, the Red Devils will be desperate to welcome the injured Luke Shaw back into the fold, with the 28-year-old having missed significant chunks of last season with fitness issues.

Right-back is now slightly more complicated with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot having shown improvements - the latter often at left-back. Both remain decent options but there is the possibility that Man Utd seek out a more glamorous player in the role, potentially pursuing Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong. Whether the wing-back can feature in a flat back four remains to be seen, but he finished last term with 26 goal contributions in all competitions.

With Varane moving on, Victor Lindelof continuing to find himself on the fringes of the squad or injured and Harry Maguire still an unconvincing figure at Old Trafford, there is no doubting that Lisandro Martinez is the club's best option at centre-back. The tenacious and diminutive defender showcased his supreme talent in the FA Cup final.

But the Argentine will need a centre-back partner, with Man Utd potentially turning to young Jarrad Branthwaite in search of a solution. The fact that both the Everton defender and Martinez are left-footed could be an issue, but the 21-year-old, who was called up to England's 33-man provisional squad for Euro 2024, has been immense for the Toffees this term.

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Midfielders

If Ten Hag - providing he is still in the Man Utd dugout - persists with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, he will need two reliable holding midfielders next term. One of his side's biggest issues this season has been the fallibility of their midfield, with Casemiro slowing down significantly, Scott McTominay not suited to a deep-lying role and Mason Mount having made a slow and injury-hit start to life up north.

Of course, the Red Devils do boast one of the most exciting young midfielders in the Premier League as part of their two-man base, 19-year-old Kobbie Mainoo having been one of their few shining lights this season. Man Utd can plan their long-term future with the youngster in mind, and he scored a crucial goal in the FA Cup final against Man City.

However, who will partner him in the engine room is less certain. Man Utd appear set to move away from their less organised recruitment approach and instead focus on building a more cohesive and youthful squad. Someone who would prove a good fit in that respect is Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, who has shone in central midfield for Oliver Glasner's side since his January move from Blackburn Rovers.

Forwards

Man Utd have plenty of attacking talent to spread across their front four, with Rasmus Hojlund having shown glimpses of his quality throughout an up and down debut campaign. The Danish striker was signed for £72m last summer and made an underwhelming start to his career in England, but has found the net more regularly since the turn of the year.

Bruno Fernandes may not be a traditional captain in many senses but the Man Utd skipper still has bags of quality. There are no doubts he's guaranteed to start when fit, with the Portuguese often a difference-maker in the number ten role.

Much like Mainoo in midfield, young Alejandro Garnacho has also been a ray of hope for the future after a fantastic campaign. He netted the Premier League Goal of the Season with his overhead kick against Everton and was a consistent threat up top despite those around him often failing to hit the same heights.

Marcus Rashford has been one of those that failed to find any sort of consistency for Man Utd last season, looking a shadow of his former self. Injuries didn't help of course, but the 26-year-old can no longer hide behind the defence of youth. His quality is there for all to see on his day and those days need to be far more frequent next term.

Potential Man Utd lineup for 2024/25 season

(4-2-3-1): Onana; Frimpong, Branthwaite, Martinez, Shaw; Mainoo, Wharton; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.

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