Erik ten Hag's big challenge this summer is that he must not only improve a Manchester United side that has underperformed so poorly this season, but he must also improve it while replacing a cluster of players who will leave for free once the transfer window opens.
Signing a new midfielder was labelled the 'biggest' issue by club sources even before Nemanja Matic made it public that he would leave at the end of the season, while there was always an acceptance that Paul Pogba would not be signing a new deal at the club.
In an ideal world, United would sign two top-class central midfielders this summer to compensate for those two exits, with Donny van de Beek and James Garner both contenders to bolster the squad with improved roles under the new manager next season.
