Manchester United will hope for a strong end to the season and more silverware for the trophy cabinet but attention is already turning to the summer and what comes next.
Erik ten Hag has shown he's capable of turning United back into a force again, having lifted the Carabao Cup already this term, while the FA Cup and Europa League remain realistic targets. But United are in need of reinforcements and will be seeking a striker and central midfielder to bolster the ranks ahead of 2023-24.
That means some inevitable squad shaking and there is a clutch of players on the fringes of things at Old Trafford who will want to ensure they remain part of the rebuild. Opportunities to stake their claim may be hard to come by over the coming weeks as United fight on three fronts, but the summer tour to the USA will offer players a chance to stake their claim. It's a make or break summer for the following four United players.
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Anthony Martial
The injury-hit frontman has to win over the doubters if he's to have an Old Trafford future. With United understandably prioritising signing another goalscorer this summer, the next few months will be pivotal for Martial. The forward has made just 14 appearances for Erik ten Hag this season due to various injury issues.
Frustratingly, he has shown his capabilities in flashes and looked sharp in pre-season and in between injury issues had a reasonable record in the first half of the season. Yet he looks in need of a strong finish to this campaign if he can rediscover his fitness, to convince United he merits being a part of things come the summer rather than being sold to fund transfer targets.
Donny van de Beek
The 25-year-old was also a regular during Ten Hag's first United pre-season, featuring in all six matches, and also playing a part during one of two friendlies following the World Cup late last year. Injury has ended his campaign and he won't feature again until pre-season.
It will be a pivotal period for the Netherlands international. He still has two years left on his contract and will hope to prove himself to a manager who knows him well from their successful partnership at Ajax. Van de Beek played more than 100 times under the current United manager while they were together in their native Holland.
Scott McTominay
The midfielder has been linked with a move away and could be the odd one out should Manchester United make their move for a Jude Bellingham or Frenkie de Jong this summer. Casemiro's arrival last summer pushed McTominay down the pecking order and the Scotland international is battling with Fred and Christian Eriksen for a starting spot. Marcel Sabitzer has also arrived on loan from Bayern Munich and McTominay has had to make do with being a squad player this term.
He's still made 32 starts in all competitions and possesses the defensive nous required at times. But it remains to be seen if he has a long-term future with United and the summer showings from the 26-year-old could go some way to deciding that.
Aaron Wan Bissaka
At one stage the former Crystal Palace man appeared destined for the Old Trafford exit but he's had something of a renaissance since the World Cup break. He showed his capabilities in the derby win over Man City, the pair of matches against Barcelona and helped United end their trophy drought when introduced at half time during the Carabao Cup win over Newcastle United.
But the conundrum with the 25-year-old remains, for all his defensive strengths can he offer enough in attack? The success of Luke Shaw at left back typifies with ten Hag wants from his full backs. Neither Wan-Bissaka or right back rival Dalot have nailed down the position although the latter seems to have the slight edge. United could look to bring in reinforcements, piling the pressure further on the England international who will need to take his chance to convince ten Hag he should be part of United's long term thinking.
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