New left-back, Dumfries signs, Branthwaite decision, Sancho exit

Manchester United’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign gets underway in three weeks. Despite the double signing of Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, there are still moving parts to be settled.

United are expected to complete a number of deals over the next few weeks, before the first game of the season against Fulham, with the prospect of more to follow before the window closes. New sporting director Dan Ashworth’s start at the club has began rapidly but he still faces a number of tough decisions.

Zirkzee will join up with his new teammates later on in the summer while Yoro, who signed from Lille in a deal worth £52m, has already made his first appearance for the club. A new central midfielder, right-back and another addition at the heart of defence all are likely to be improved.

Here, MEN Sport takes a look at what Ten Hag’s 25-man Premier League squad could look like when United host Fulham at Old Trafford on August 16.

The rules for Premier League squad selection are laid out for all 20 teams. Under-21 players (born on or after January 1, 2003) do not have to be registered in the squad and can be used freely. There are no home-grown player quotes, like there is in European competitions, but there is a limit on non-homegrown players.

Premier League teams can name 17 non-homegrown players in the squad. This rule doesn’t just apply to non-English players, with individuals who have been at an affiliated Football Association club for three seasons before their 21st birthday.

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Goalkeepers: Onana, Bayindir, Heaton

The one position that will not go through any changes this summer. Andre Onana showed signs of settling in at Old Trafford towards the end of his first season and will be hoping to capitalise on the lack of pressure on his performances as he did 12 months ago.

Turkey international Altay Bayindir is the natural second choice. He made just one appearance last season but United’s participation in the Europa League could see him get more minutes. Tom Heaton’s contract extension this summer fills the third spot.

Defenders: Martinez, Yoro, Dalot, Shaw, Silva, Maguire, Dumfries, Mitchell, Evans

Despite the signing of Yoro, United remain in the market for a new defender. In fact, in a best-case scenario, Ten Hag’s defence will have three more new faces added.

After Raphael Varane departed and with Victor Lindelof on the transfer list, the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Matthijs de Ligt have been linked. Recently though, Benfica’s Antonio Silva has re-emerged with reports claiming United are looking to drive down the 20-year-old’s £84.3m release clause this summer.

Harry Maguire was thought to be one player who could leave the club but the defender’s recent words would suggest he is staying put. With Lisandro Martiez, Yoro and Jonny Evans, that would leave Ten Hag with five options.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has now entered the final 12 months of his contract at United meaning there is pressure to sell him this summer. It’s reported that he prefers a move to Inter Milan, a move that could see Denzel Dumfries add pace and power to their defence.

At left-back, it isn’t as clear. Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain at the club but their injury records have left Ten Hag without a natural candidate for the role. Marcos Alonso and David Hancko have all been identified as targets, as has Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell, who has been primed for a big-money move away from Selhurst Park for some time.

Only 24, Mitchell has been a mainstay in Palace’s defence for the last four seasons and unlike United’s current options, he carries a decent track record with injuries.

Midfielders: Mount, Fernandes, Mainoo, McTominay, Ugarte, Eriksen, Casemiro

United’s midfield is an area that splits opinion. For many, a hard-working ball-winner with bags of energy is needed to take them to the next level. For others, it’s the way Ten Hag has them playing that leaves acres of space in front of the defence.

Casemiro, like many United players, seemed to be heading for the exit door this season after his difficult ending to last term. However, interest from elsewhere appears to have fallen flat and the Brazilian is currently part of the squad in the USA. After Sofyan Amrabat’s loan ended the Red Devils have even more reason to sign a replacement.

Manuel Ugarte is the first-choice but Paris Saint-Germain’s tough stance has delayed a quick move. Joao Neves has been a long-term target for United but he is close to joining PSG meaning the gates could finally open for Ugarte.

Scott McTominay is now set to play a key part under Ten Hag after the Dutchman’s latest words on the Scotland international. A fully fit Mason Mount will feel almost like a new signing and Bruno Fernandes, despite claims of a wild exit from Old Trafford, remains the club captain.

Attackers: Hojlund, Zirkzee, Rashford, Garnacho, Antony, Amad.

The signing of Zirkzee meant United’s problems in attack are already solved. The Dutchman’s arrival gives Ten Hag two strong options in centre-forward, something they haven’t had for some time.

Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Amad and Antony are all players with a point to prove this season. Ten Hag’s 4-3-3 formation means there’s only space for two and healthy competition only breeds confidence.

The exit, however, is Jadon Sancho. Despite returning to United training under Ten Hag, there seems to be a strange aura about the situation. There have been no social media posts since his return, all previous posts have been deleted and he hasn’t placed any recognition of United in his social media biographies.

In total, this United squad uses up 20 of the available 25 with Hojlund, Mainoo, Garnacho, Yoro and Silva all under-21. Should Malacia and Sancho remain at the club, they would still have three spots remaining.

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