Erik ten Hag is poised to embark on the biggest and most challenging season of his managerial career at Manchester United
And he hasn't had the smoothest of summers since taking charge of United, having failed to sign Frankie de Jong while hitting a brick wall in his attempts to persuade Cristiano Ronaldo to stay with the club.
But on the positive side, the Dutchman has managed to ship out some dead wood and made three new signings, who are all expected to start when United kick off their campaign at home to Brighton this weekend looking to move on from the disappointment of last season.
New-look back four
United have spent £56.7m on signing Lisandro Martinez from Ajax and he will be thrown into the heart of United's defence alongside Harry Maguire. It remains to be seen if Maguire will still be captain following a shambolic season last time out, but Ten Hag believes the presence of Martinez will have a positive influence on the England centre back. If Maguire continues to struggle, Raphael Varane can come in.
Martinez is said to take no prisoners, so he will have to be earful to adjust to the quicker pace of English football. United still haven't signed a new right back, so Aaron Wan-Bisaka will have to do for now, but needs to raise his standards. At left-back, it will be fascinating to see if Ten Hag goes with new signing Tyrell Malacia head of Luke Shaw. Malacia operates with a dynamic, pressing style more suited to Ten Hag's approach. He could prove a snip after joining from Feyenoord for around £15m.
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Creative spark in midfield
With Paul Pogba gone, free signing Christian Eriksen is expected to bring the creativity and sparkle to United's midfield. Eriksen is a proven class act and should be a shrewd piece of business by United. Ten Hag will want United's build-up play to go through him, wth Scott McTominay operating in a deeper role to provide the protection for his back four when Eriksen surges forward.
How Bruno Fernandes fits into Ten Hag's plans remains to be seen, but he will somehow because he's too good to be left out, while Fred remains an alternative option to McTominay in the holding role. Fernandes and Eriksen will be expected to chip in with goals, because Ten Hag knows his front players need help in this department, not least if Ronaldo does leave before the transfer window closes. Games are won and lost in midfield and it will be an area Ten Hag will look to dominate, both with and without the ball.
Familiar attack
Will Ten Hag make the logical decision to start Marcus Rashford in the No.9 role? Rashford is said to be refreshed following a productive summer working on his fitness and attitude and could be like a new signing if he hits the ground running. The future of Ronaldo remains unclear, but he's unlikely to start the first game due to his lack of match time in pre season.
Jadon Sancho can provide the spark and energy United need, while Anthony Martial appears to be back in the good books. Ten Hag likes pace and these three have it in abundance, but will also be expected to track back and do their defensive duties. The fly in the ointment is Ronaldo - Ten Hag may be forced to pick him if Martial does not recover from a slight hamstring problem in time.
Manchester United (4-1-4-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia; Fred; Sancho, Eriksen, Fernandes, Martial; Rashford.
