Manchester United must make brave decision to solve major problem Erik ten Hag pointed out

Manchester United must make a brave decision to solve a major problem that Erik ten Hag has pointed out.

The Reds are planning to be busy in the summer transfer window, with additions in defence being the priority, as well as a support striker to Rasmus Højlund.

There will be more incomings in an ideal world for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS; however, they will need to sell well since United are walking a financial tightrope.

However, there is still an issue of squad depth at Old Trafford, and it is something that Ten Hag has requested from INEOS to improve.

“Yes,” Ten Hag replied when questioned if he had asked the new ownership for more depth. “That is one of the issues in constructing the squad that we have to improve, to do things better, and construct a squad we have more depth in.”

Importantly, this can not simply be done by signing new players in every position. United’s funds need to be spread smartly, and one way that they can ensure this is by utilising the academy talent within Carrington.

Of course, the likes of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have emerged into the first-team squad under Ten Hag. Yet, players such as Alvaro Fernandez were moved on despite the club having a left-back crisis last term.

Garnacho and Mainoo are also exceptionally talented, and if everything goes to plan, they will be two of the club’s most important players in the coming decade.

However, not everyone from the academy will be that important for the team – but they can provide crucial roles within the squad so that summer funds can be focused on improving the starting team rather than the squad depth.

The club’s under-18s side won three trophies last season and have tons of incredibly talented players within their ranks. Shea Lacey, Harry Amass and Jack Fletcher are among the players with a great chance of making it in the first team.

It is always difficult to see how well a player will adapt to the first-team environment, but United should be taking more risks with players who might not be considered as talented as someone like Mainoo, but they could play important roles in aiding improvement within the squad.