Manchester United's squad is still short in several areas as the new Premier League season looms. The Red Devils raise the curtain on their 2026-27 campaign away at newly-promoted Hull City next Sunday. But they ended their pre-season with a demoralising 4-2 defeat to AC Milan in Poland which exposed several familiar problems.
Some of those problems can only truly be addressed with new signings. They are still short in multiple areas, despite Michael Carrick's optimism that he has "a good squad". Express Sport takes a look at where the manager could do with more fresh faces before the September 1 deadline.
Left-back
Perhaps the most obvious area in need of immediate improvement. Luke Shaw has been a good servant to United overall but is now 31 and on the decline. He particularly struggled against Milan in Wroclaw. Shaw is into the final year of his contract and the club need a long-term successor.
The Red Devils have only signed three left-backs since Shaw in 2014 - Alex Telles, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilón on loan. Lewis Hall is the desired successor but the England international is not for sale this month. United would have to spend well over £60million to tempt Newcastle into selling the 21-year-old in this window.
A player who might be cheaper and more attainable right now is Bournemouth's Adrian Truffert, who was superb as Milos Kerkez's replacement in his debut season in England. The Frenchman, 24, only cost the Cherries £14.4m a year ago and might be gettable at nearer to £40m if United fancy trying their luck. Like Shaw, he is also a willing runner and would provide more dynamism down the left.
Central midfield
United have already worked hard to address their midfield depth this summer by signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for a combined cost of £85m but a third, and more mobile, defensive-minded addition remains possible.
It will not be a superstar No.6 like Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni, though. Brighton's Carlos Baleba is still a candidate despite his stocks dropping last season but he would cost £50m or more. Sander Berge is a more budget-friendly option from Fulham, as is Bournemouth's Tyler Adams. Both appear gettable.
A left-field pick, albeit one of a different profile to Baleba, Berge and Adams, might be Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall. The 20-year-old Swede has been eyed by Newcastle and Nottingham Forest but Spurs want £50m plus for the talented youngster who is believed to want to leave.
Centre-back
Michael Carrick appears well-stocked at centre-back. He has Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt there. Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui can fill in at centre-back in emergencies. But De Ligt and Martinez have suffered chronic injury problems, Heaven is still young and Maguire is a fading force.
The Red Devils would be wise to pursue an upgrade. Options across Europe include Bayer Leverkusen's £42m-rated Edmond Tapsoba, Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge, who could cost a similar amount, and Eintracht Frankfurt defender Arthur Theate, a cheaper option at around £20m.
An ideal player could be Atletico Madrid's versatile Spaniard Marc Pubill. Capable of playing centre-back and right-back, the 23-year-old is also liked by Arsenal. Yet Atletico do not want to sell so prising the three-cap Spain international away would be difficult. He would be some coup if INEOS could secure his signature though.
Striker
The area of least immediacy, given Benjamin Sesko will soon return from injury, but still one where United can improve. Carrick needs a back-up striker who can hold the ball up better than the out-of-favour and up-for-sale Joshua Zirkzee.
Finding a player willing to play second fiddle to Sesko is difficult - unless you're offering that player a step up from their current club. See here: Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi. The German under-21 international only joined the Belgian club last year but could be available for around £38m before the window closes.
Still only 21, the 6ft 1ins striker is a classic number nine who might be what United need when they can't call upon Sesko. Alternatively, Carrick could look to bring Ivan Toney, 30, back to the Premier League from Saudi Arabia as a shorter-term solution as his hold-up play is also excellent but a wage cut would be required.
