There is no disputing the sheer size of the challenge awaiting Erik ten Hag at Manchester United this summer.
Following a forgettable 2021/22 campaign, which is now just two chapters away from being concluded, United will be looking forward to welcoming Ten Hag to Old Trafford this summer to mark the beginning of a new dawn. The Ajax boss was officially announced as the club's new boss a fortnight ago and will get to work ahead of the start of next season.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Dutchman is transforming the state of the first-team squad. Numerous players are expected to leave the club this summer, including the likes of Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani, meaning new additions are not expected to be in short supply.
READ MORE: Manchester United's dream 25-man squad including four new signings for Erik ten Hag rebuild
But whilst there is no debate to be had about whether or not United need new faces, they already have some players on their books that could feel like new signings. That is because the likes of Ethan Laird, Teden Mengi and James Garner, who have spent time on loan in the Championship this season, will fancy their chances of impressing Ten Hag during pre-season, ahead of the real action getting underway in August.
Considering United have experienced no shortage of defensive frailties this season, the returns of Laird and Mengi might mean that Ten Hag pays particularly close attention to their capabilities. Laird, despite his time on loan at Bournemouth proving to be uninspiring, showed what he is capable of during his stint at Swansea City earlier this season, producing an array of eye-catching displays.
Mengi, meanwhile, showed signs of promise at Birmingham City up until the moment an injury brought his season to an end. With his injury only minor, as well as the fact that the Championship season is now just one game away from reaching its conclusion, it has been confirmed that Mengi has returned to Carrington to train with United for the rest of the season, in an attempt to rebuild his fitness levels.
An article published on United's club website on Wednesday said: "Teden is integrating back into first-team training but, unfortunately, will not be ready in time for Blues' final match. The second-city club have kindly given permission for Teden to remain training with United, with our season not ending until 22 May, in order to regain full fitness."
Mengi, who turned 20 last Saturday, is considered to have a bright future ahead of himself and has already made two senior appearances for United. His first United outing came in 2019 and he made a strong impression on former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who waxed lyrical about him just under a year later, comparing him to former Ajax ace Matthijs de Ligt, who, of course, blossomed into a fine centre-back under Ten Hag.
Solskjaer, speaking in September 2020, said: "Teden has definitely impressed me. It's different trusting defenders on the big stage, of course it is.
"You've got to make sure he's ready for it, you see examples of Ajax, who play in a different league but Matthijs de Ligt, they made him captain when he was 18. You can see something special in them.
"Teden's got something special in him. It's about picking the right moment to give him a chance."
Comparing him with De Ligt is bound to attract Ten Hag's attention, you would think, even if Solskjaer was referencing his leadership qualities. But considering Mengi has played in the Championship, opposed to being a regular at Old Trafford, it suggests that he still has a long way to go in his development.
However, working alongside a manager who is renowned for developing young players and getting the best out of them, Ten Hag's presence at United from this summer onwards could be just what Mengi needs. The centre-back, who made ten appearances during his time on loan at Birmingham, has played once for United this season, stepping off the bench against Young Boys in the Champions League back in December.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
