Manchester United will rebuild their defence next summer, but before the cheques are signed, there are plenty of moving pieces that need to fall into place.
A new left-back is the priority for 2027, with Lewis Hall likely to be a leading target again, but there will be movement in the centre of defence as well.
Centre-back futures in the balance
Michael Carrick currently has five centre-backs to pick from, but there are question marks there for the season ahead, and some Old Trafford futures will be decided over the next seven or eight months.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez are both out of contract at the end of this season, although the club have the option to extend both deals by a year, and Matthijs de Ligt needs to re-establish his own credentials after 10 months on the sidelines with a back injury.
Then there are the young guns battling to make headway. Leny Yoro, 20, will expect to be much closer to regular selection by the end of the season and 19-year-old Ayden Heaven will be seeking to put pressure on Martinez.
Martinez's fitness record under scrutiny
Maguire turns 34 in March, and United might see the summer of 2027 as the ideal time to part ways, but the future of Martinez is perhaps the most interesting sub-plot this season.
The Argentine is a regular under Carrick when he is fit, although staying fit has been his biggest problem across four years at Old Trafford. Before this season, he had started just 65 of a possible 152 Premier League games since signing from Ajax, and he needs a year of consistent performances and consistent availability to earn a new deal, given he turns 29 in January.
Martinez's passing and, in particular, his ability to break lines with his forward passes into midfield and attack are major assets to United and if he were always available, there would be little doubt in offering him a new contract, but that hasn't been the case and he has had serious knee and foot injuries in his time at the club.
Van de Ven as a prime target
If United did look to replace him, then they would be in the market for another left-footed option and Tottenham's flying Dutchman Micky van de Ven would be a prime target.
Van de Ven is more of a dribbler than a passer, but his speed is valuable not only defensively but also in attack when he looks to carry the ball forward. United have already seen that first hand, with a blistering run forward at Old Trafford in September 2024 to set up a goal for Brennan Johnson in Spurs' 3-0 win.
The 25-year-old has recently signed a new long-term deal at Tottenham, but that hasn't stopped him from being linked with moves to United and Liverpool recently. If this is another disappointing season in North London, then Van de Ven couldn't be blamed for seeking a move elsewhere.
He has the chance to impress again at Old Trafford this weekend, at a time when everyone knows United are running the rule over potential defensive signings next summer. This would be a good time to catch the eye, just as it would be a good time for Martinez to remind everyone of his quality, while also showing he can stay fit for a full season.
