Michael Carrick's impact at Manchester United was beyond what anyone could have imagined as he led his former club to a third-place finish in his first Premier League managerial job. United were actually the best team in the league under Carrick, picking up 39 points from his 17 games in charge, three more than champions Arsenal managed in that time, and four more than Manchester City.
Despite their form over the second half of the season, major surgery was needed on the squad with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans signed for a combined £85million to start the midfielder rebuild after Casemiro left on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte picked up a season-ending knee injury during the World Cup.
Champions League Return Demands Strengthening
United need to strengthen the squad too now they have returned to Champions League football after only playing 40 games last season – the fewest they have played since the 1914/15 season having been dumped out of both domestic cups at the first stage.
Here, the Daily Star Sport looks at four more signings United must seal if Carrick's side are able to fight for the Premier League title this season.
Lewis Hall
The most obvious signing United can make this summer is signing a rival to Luke Shaw at left-back. The 31-year-old played all 38 league games last season – the first time in 12 years at United he's managed to stay injury free.
Shaw had arguably his best campaign to date at Old Trafford last season, but with no European football or appearances in a cup match, those 38 games are still nine short of the most games he's played in a season for the Reds.
Harry Amass isn't ready to replace Shaw after injury ended his promising year in the Championship last season. And so bad have United been at protecting the value of their young talents, the 19-year-old has been linked with a £6million permanent exit due to his contract expiring at the end of the season.
United need to look long term but also for now and Newcastle left-back Hall is coming off a remarkable season where he was arguably the second-best in his position in the league – behind Manchester City and England's Nico O'Reilly which was part of the reason for Thomas Tuchel's ridiculous decision not to take the 21-year-old to the World Cup.
Hall came through at Chelsea as a centre-midfielder and a winger before ending up at left-back, which is no surprise given how assured and progressive he is in possession. His excellent dribbling ability and crossing prowess will work wonders with Benjamin Sesko throwing himself at balls in the air.
Newcastle signed Hall for £35million in 2023, and it's reported that a £60m bid could tempt Newcastle to the table. That figure seems incredibly low in the current market for a 21-year-old homegrown proven talent, but if United are serious they should waste no time getting this deal done before the start of the season.
Aurelien Tchouameni
United needed three midfield signings this summer. Casemiro has left, but his legs needed replacing anyway, and Manuel Ugarte is staying at Old Trafford, but only because he's done his ACL and will be out for the season, throw in another defensive minded midfielder was needed anyway to play alongside Kobbie Mainoo, and United's priority was clear.
Those transfer plans were forced to change when Manchester City splurged a British record £116m fee on United's top target Elliot Anderson before Tottenham outbid themselves in a desperate attempt to sign Mateus Fernandes for £85m. Both of United's top targets had been scooped up for a combined fee of £200m, when the Reds had hoped to haggle the deals to just over half of that fee. Long story short – it was incredibly wishful thinking from the board.
The plan changed and Andrey Santos arrived from Chelsea for £50m while Youri Tielemans was a steal from Aston Villa for just £35m. United have got two through the door, but they need a third, and the dominating presence of Aurelien Tchouameni is the dream.
Real Madrid are stalling over the 26-year-old's future despite him agreeing a new deal until 2031 just weeks ago. But Los Blancos' pursuit of Manchester City midfielder Rodri means they could cash in on the French midfielder to accommodate the Spaniard.
Tchouameni's imposing 6ft 2 frame will help cover the absence of Casemiro's height in both boxes while his tackling and physical capabilities will help cover Kobbie Mainoo's weaknesses. The France star is also a brilliant passer under pressure but United need a physical presence in that midfield before anything, and Tchouameni ticks that box perfectly. This move could drag on until the final days of the window.
Dusan Vlahovic
It would be a huge surprise if United haven't already put feelers out on Vlahovic and approached the striker's camp after his release from Juventus at the end of the season.
Still only 26, Vlahovic left Turin at the end of his contract but is seemingly willing to play clubs off against each other for who can offer him the most lucrative financial package. It is very Ed Woodwood to pick up a striker with a big reputation on what would likely be huge wages, but if, and it is a big if, United can bring the wages in line with their current structure and without needing to fork out a transfer fee to allocate funds to other players on this list, it would be great business.
Vlahovic still bagged 10 goals in 23 games last season across all competitions and netted double figures in his three previous Serie A seasons with the Old Lady. His physical and powerful play as a No.9 would suit Carrick's one striker system.
Benjamin Sesko still has a long way to develop and adapt at just 23 and United should avoid the mistake they made with Rasmus Hojlund where they hung a youthful striker out to dry in the most pressurised job in world football without a suitable backup.
Joshua Zirkzee is still at the club but looks set to leave in search of more regular minutes. The Dutchman isn't particularly prolific but he does produce moments of genius and silky play that would need to be replaced.
Rafael Leao
United have the perfect chance to conclude a deal that they've been eyeing for years, with Rafael Leao set to leave AC Milan this summer.
The 27-year-old winger has been lighting up the San Siro for seven years and in previous windows his price tag has been unreachable given how important the Portugal international has been since his £30m move from Lille in 2019.
Milan have set their asking price at around £100m in previous windows - before nine figure fees became the norm to sign a central midfielder from a Premier League club. But this summer, Leao has made clear he wishes to seek a new challenge and a fee of £50m will be required.
At 6ft 2, Leao is built for the Premier League with his blistering speed and dribbling ability helping him clock up a goal involvement every other game during his time at Milan, and in the last four seasons, that input massively increases.
Predominately playing off the left, where United are looking for competition to Matheus Cunha with the hierarchy still keen to clear Rashford's wages off the bill, and Patrick Dorgu a rough diamond playing in an advanced role, Leao is exactly what United fans love – a direct and explosive winger who gets fans off their seat.
Also able to play through the middle, Leao's versatility in attack is perfect for Carrick's fluid frontline which has seen Cunha and Mbeumo intertwine off either flank and be dangerous in central positions.
