There are now just two weeks to go until the transfer window closes and time is rapidly running out for Manchester United to strengthen manager Erik ten Hag's squad.
United, who will be going in search of their first win of the season when they face Liverpool on Monday evening at Old Trafford, have brought in just three new faces so far this summer, landing Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen. The club is still in need of further new recruits and several areas of the squad need bolstering.
The club is desperate to strengthen its central-midfield options as a leading priority and have reached out to Real Madrid to see whether Casemiro would be interested in a move to M16. United have been chasing Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong since May and have seen their hopes of landing Adrien Rabiot from Juventus collapse.
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But it isn't just in midfield where United need further additions; they also need to strengthen at right-back, bring in a new wide player and add another striker to their ranks. Speculation, as it always is where United are concerned, remains rife, with countless names being linked with moves to Old Trafford.
With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at how United could line up come the end of the window if they land three players that they are known to be interested in.
Goalkeeper - David de Gea
Although he has experienced a disappointing start to the season, De Gea, who was guilty of two costly errors against Brentford last Saturday, is likely to remain Ten Hag's first choice shot-stopper. He enjoyed a good season last term, but needs time to adapt to the way Ten Hag wants his team to try and play.
United are continuing to be linked with goalkeepers that could come in to provide a level of competition for the Spaniard. Watford's Daniel Bachmann is among those to have generated the most interest.
Defence - Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw
After shipping four goals against Brentford, you could make a case for arguing that the full-back and centre-back berths still need upgrading before the window closes. But considering the Reds have strengthened their centre-back and left-back options already this summer, bringing in Martinez and Malacia, they are unlikely to invest further in those two positions.
However, they are still in need of a right-back, with Dalot having struggled in the opening two matches, despite having impressed during pre-season. Barcelona's Sergino Dest has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but it is likely that United would have to move Aaron Wan-Bissaka on first - and that won't be straightforward.
Midfield - Casemiro, Fred, Bruno Fernandes
Whatever happens before the window closes in a fortnight's time, United must sign a midfielder. Failure to do that will result in the biggest backlash the supporters have generated in years, and rightfully so.
United's long-term pursuit of De Jong highlights just how big a problem the club knows it is and they cannot ignore it. In Casemiro, United, should they be lucky enough to lay their hands on him, would be landing one of the best defensive-midfielders in the business.
He would offer United the defensive contribution in midfield that they are crying out for. Unless they brought in another midfielder alongside the Brazilian, it is likely that Fred would keep his place, with Fernandes operating further forward.
Attack - Hakim Ziyech, Moussa Dembele, Jadon Sancho
The shape of the front-three come the end of the window will depend on Cristiano Ronaldo's future. He wants to leave United before the bell, although the club remains defiant that he is not for sale.
But in the event of him moving on, United, even though they need another striker anyway, could hand the responsibility of leading the line to Lyon ace Dembele. The Frenchman, as revealed by the Manchester Evening News, remains on United's radar and they are considering a move for him ahead of the deadline.
Another player who could arrive at Old Trafford is Ziyech. The Chelsea star is wanted by Ten Hag after they worked together at Ajax, but the board has not met Ten Hag's interest in Ziyech with much fondness, holding reservations about signing him.
But should Ten Hag get his way, and sign the right-winger he is after, Ziyech would be a likely starter, forcing Sancho out to the left. His best performances in a United shirt have come on that side of the pitch.
Erik ten Hag's dream United line-up: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw; Casemiro, Fred, Fernandes; Ziyech, Dembele, Sancho.
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