Revealed: Ten Hag wants to bolster four positions at Man United for next stage of rebuild

Erik ten Hag is planning for the next stage of Manchester United’s rebuild, with four different positions being targetted in the transfer market, according to a new report.

After spending just over £220 million in his first summer in charge at Old Trafford, Ten Hag has turned around United’s fortunes.

Despite their recent capitulation against Liverpool, The Reds have already won the Carabao Cup and remain in the hat for the FA Cup and Europa League. They sit in third position in the Premier League and look like they will be playing Champions League football next term.

United are at their most attractive state in almost 10 years and could mount a serious challenge for the title next year if they’re able to address certain weaknesses in the transfer market.

Rob Dawson’s latest report states that if the budget allows it, Ten Hag will aim to bring in a striker, a midfielder, a full-back, and a goalkeeper.

The missing number nine is the starkest problem in the United side. Anthony Martial cannot shake his injury problems and Wout Weghorst is both on loan and not to the standard of a top-level Premier League striker. Marcus Rashford is still playing his best football from the left flank too.

Despite the signings of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in the midfield last summer, Ten Hag is still eager to strengthen his engine room. Interest in Frenkie de Jong could spark again as the Dutch coach aims to bring in a controlling presence in the centre of the park.

It is likely that Ten Hag looks to strengthen the right side of the defence, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia holding the left flank. Aaron Wan-Bissaka still has areas of his game that need improving and Diogo Dalot has been unable to restore his pre-World Cup form since the turn of the year.

David de Gea is one United player that splits opinions. He recently broke the record for the most amount of clean sheets at the club, overtaking Peter Schmeichel’s record of 188 during United’s victory in the Carabao Cup final. There’s a fair argument that Ten Hag could look to find a new no.1 that is more comfortable with the ball at his feet than the Spaniard, as he looks to continue to develop the team’s playstyle.

Player sales could prove vital if The Reds are to sign new additions in those four positions. Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is a fan of Scott McTominay but have yet to make contact due to United’s price tag of £40 million.

There are also several other players who could see the exit door, with Harry Maguire and Anthony Martial being two of them.

The rebuild that Ten Hag has started is working so far and United would be smart to back him even more going further.