Manchester United are preparing to face their biggest transfer window in years.
Considering the signings of Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and Cristiano Ronaldo last summer have failed to bring success back to the red side of Manchester, the club is in desperate need of making big changes to the squad over the coming months. A whole host of big-name stars are likely to be moved on and new additions will be added.
The balance of United's squad and the philosophy has been questioned throughout the season and correcting both problems will be one of the first few tasks on the new manager's to-do list, whether it be Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino or somebody else. The likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani, to name just a handful, are some of the players that are poised to depart.
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Others will also follow, paving the way for new additions to come in. Several areas within the squad are in need of strengthening and United will have funds available to dip into the market.
However, they could also make the most of the free-agent market, too. Several big-name players are set to be available on free transfers this summer, and MEN Sport has picked out four players that United may wish to consider trying to lure to Old Trafford.
Noussair Mazraoui
Considering Ajax chief Ten Hag has been interviewed for the job at Old Trafford and is now the favourite to replace Ralf Rangnick, links connecting Ajax players with United are only likely to increase from here on in. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has already been linked with a move to the club and is the subject of interest from Bayern Munich.
Instead, though, United may be tempted to move for out-of-contract right-back Mazraoui. The Moroccan has not put pen to paper on a new deal at the Johan Cruyff Arena and will soon be available on a free transfer if that situation remains the same.
Both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have struggled to nail down the right-back berth at Old Trafford this season and it is a position that United may look to strengthen this summer. Rangnick has regularly rotated between the pair, making it clear he has not settled on his preferred choice.
Mazraoui has enjoyed the best season of his career to date this term, scoring five goals and claiming four assists. He is a key figure in Ten Hag's system at the Dutch giants and has been at the club since 2006 as a youth player.
Dan-Axel Zagadou
Having already been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months, Borussia Dortmund centre-back Zagadou is set to become a free agent at the end of this season. The German giants, as reported by the Manchester Evening News last month, have been looking to try and extend his contract but have so far found no breakthrough in their efforts.
United, particularly if the likes of Phil Jones and Eric Bailly are moved on in the summer, are poised to try and source a new centre-back. Antonio Rudiger has been closely linked with the club, but Zagadou would likely be a cheaper option in terms of wages.
The Dortmund ace is considered to be a promising prospect and has reportedly captured the attention of Rangnick in the past. The German, who is set to move into a consultancy position this summer, is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to the Bundesliga.
Zagadou, who has made almost 100 appearances for Dortmund, has missed large portions of this season through injury. Nevertheless, when fully fit, he is a promising talent with his best yet to come.
Boubacar Kamara
If you were to ask any United supporter what the club's top priority should be in this summer's transfer window, it is almost certain that they would say a defensive midfielder. It has been highlighted as a major weakness within the squad this season and the club knows they can ill-afford to not bring in at least one.
West Ham United star Declan Rice has long since been pinpointed as their top target, but the London club are set to demand north of £100million. Therefore, United should consider an alternative option in Marseille star Kamara.
The 22-year-old Frenchman is considered as one of the very best holding midfielders in Europe at this moment in time, certainly in his age bracket, and his statistics make impressive viewing. He has already made over 100 Ligue 1 appearances for the French outfit and donned the captain's armband on several occasions, suggesting that he has good leadership skills for a player of his age.
As per Scoutedfootball, their analysis of Kamara in June last year found that he is often Marseille's deepest midfielder, capable of drawing opponents in through ball retention and then releasing the ball with a cute pass or neat footwork. He is a star in the making and United ought to seriously consider pouncing on his impending availability.
Fabio Carvalho
He may not be a player that United would consider signing to be flung into the first-team fold for next season, but Fulham ace Carvalho could be a suitable signing for the future. The 19-year-old attacking midfielder has excelled in the Championship this season, scoring seven goals and grabbing six assists in the Cottagers' charge for the title.
As proven by the likes of Liverpool and West Ham in recent years, there is talent to be found in England's second tier. Carvalho was on the cusp of sealing a move to Anfield on deadline day in January before the deal collapsed at the 11th hour.
Therefore, United could pounce on the Merseyside club's failure to get the deal over the line. Should he not sign a new deal at Craven Cottage ahead of the summer, he will leave the club without a transfer fee being required, though his age would force United, or anyone who does sign him, to pay a tribunal fee.
Capable of dazzling in the No.10 position, Carvalho is a star in the making, highlighting exactly why he caught Liverpool's eye earlier this season. He has made 35 appearances for Fulham, scoring nine goals and grabbing six assists.
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