How Man Utd could line up after 2024 summer transfer window

After a promising debut season at Old Trafford, things have quickly turned nightmarish for Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.

The Red Devils have endured an underwhelming Premier League campaign littered with subpar performances, while they embarrassingly crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage, suffering defeats to the likes of Copenhagen and Galatasaray.

Fresh investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe has offered hope of a new dawn in Manchester, even if on-field displays still leave a lot to be desired. Whether Ten Hag is part of the new era remains to be seen, but this summer's transfer window will be crucial to the club's short and long-term future.

With Man Utd's squad in desperate need of reinforcements in key areas, here's how the Red Devils could line up following the 2024 summer window.

Goalkeeper & defenders

Man Utd could do with some fine-tuning in the defensive department, with uncertain futures for a number of their players across the backline. Jonny Evans will leave the club when his deal expires this summer, while Raphael Varane has also been touted with a potential exit despite the Red Devils having the option to extend the World Cup winner's deal beyond 2024.

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 the season. The Cameroon international's performances have been questionable but he is starting to show greater consistency between the sticks.

If he can stay fit, Lisandro Martinez will be Man Utd's strongest centre-back option next season, while Luke Shaw, who has also suffered regularly with injuries of late, is still a great option at left-back.

With Harry Maguire's future still not entirely assured and the likes of Varane and Victor Lindelof having also failed to blow supporters away this term, a new central defender could be on the club's wishlist.

One player likely to interest several clubs this summer is Jarrad Branthwaite, with the young Everton starlet having shone for the Toffees this season. The 21-year-old Englishman would likely cost a small fortune, but has shown all the attributes needed to become a fantastic modern day central defender - even if playing two left-footed centre-halves would perhaps be a little unorthodox for Man Utd.

Right-back could also do with an upgrade given the inconsistency of Diogo Dalot and the limitations of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, with Ten Hag potentially tempted to bring Jeremie Frimpong to Old Trafford. The Bayer Leverkusen defender has produced a combined 19 goals and assists from wing-back this season and shows incredible potential at just 23.

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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, 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo having been one of the few shining lights this season. He should continue to be thrust into the first team on a regular basis.

However, who will partner him in the engine room is less certain, with Ten Hag potentially seeking a reunion with his former Ajax star Frenkie de Jong. The Barcelona midfielder has been frequently linked with Old Trafford and would be a significant upgrade to an underperforming central spine, with the Catalan giants perhaps needing to offload the Dutchman in order to ease their financial woes.

Forwards

Man Utd have plenty of attacking talent to spread across their front four, with Rasmus Hojlund having proven himself as a reliable source of goals over the last month. The Danish striker was signed for £72m last summer and made an underwhelming start to his career in England, but his pace, power and ruthlessness in front of goal have been pivotal for the Red Devils during recent weeks.

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

Marcus Rashford's dwindling form has opened a route to more regular first-team football for young Alejandro Garnacho this season. The 19-year-old Argentine has shown immense promise and will fight with his English teammate for residence on the left flank next term.

One area in which Man Utd have lacked quality under Ten Hag is on the right-hand side of attack, with £85m Antony having been an absolute disaster for the Red Devils. The Brazilian hasn't merited a spot in the starting lineup next year and the club will need to look for alternatives in the summer market.

One such player who could bolster their attacking options is Pedro Neto of Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 23-year-old Portugal international has had his issues with injuries at Molineux, but would be a wonderful addition to Ten Hag's squad given his age profile and relentless attacking output.

Potential Man Utd lineup for 2024/25 season

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

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