Erik ten Hag's most difficult challenge this summer may be determining which spots in his squad require immediate repair and which can wait another year.
Even the presence of Ten Hag at Selhurst Park on Sunday was insufficient to mask Manchester United's problems on the field, as they suffered yet another defeat to round off an abysmal season. The Dutchman won't have seen anything last weekend that he didn't already know about United, though the style of their defeat will have highlighted what a difficult challenge he faces.
United are already working on a number of prospective transfer signings in order to kick off their summer in the best possible way, with a focus on bolstering a defense that allowed 57 goals this season, 31 more than both Man City and Liverpool combined.
As the club looks to sign a new centre-back this summer, Jurrien Timber and Pau Torres have both been linked with a move, while there are plenty of others who have been linked with a move. United need a new center defense not only because of their problems this season, but also because Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, and Axel Tuanzebe are all expected to leave in the summer.
It's understandable why United would want to add to their squad in the off-season, but it's not the scenario they had in mind when they paid £42 million for Raphael Varane a year ago.
Varane was paraded in front of a crowded Old Trafford ahead of United's beating of Leeds on the opening day of the season, which was one of the few highlights of the season. There was a palpable sense of joy in the air as United announced the signing of such a world-class player, albeit such joy has been rare since.
The French centre-back has shown flashes of brilliance, but he has missed 17 games in his debut season due to injury and illness. Varane appeared in fewer games this season than Victor Lindelof, Diogo Dalot, and Nemanja Matic.
Varane was not only unfortunate with injury, but he also struggled as a result of United's system and the lack of a competent centre-back partner with whom to develop a combination.
Lindelof and Harry Maguire have both fallen short of expectations at Old Trafford this season, and both could find themselves out of the starting lineup on a regular basis next season.
Due to his leadership and the additional scrutiny that such an act would have brought, Maguire was never going to be dismissed for an extended length of time, whilst Lindelof has always been considered as a disposable option in any centre-back partnership.
Ten Hag's appointment is thought to have given him the freedom to make brutal, and long-overdue, team changes if necessary, with the defensive system being one area that is certain to be rearranged. United's interest in signing another centre-back demonstrates the manager's desire to strengthen his backline as soon as possible this summer, casting further doubt on those already at the club.
The addition of Timber or Torres may provide the defensive stability United has been lacking, but it would also increase competition for positions.
This season, Maguire and Lindelof may have been United's two most used centre-backs. Ten Hag, on the other hand, may find it difficult to even go on the field.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0