Regardless of how the rest of this season goes for Manchester United, it is already clear that manager Erik ten Hag has grand ambitions of strengthening his squad further during the summer transfer window.
United, who will be looking to seal their place in next month's Carabao Cup final at Wembley when they face Nottingham Forest in the second leg of their semi-final showdown on Wednesday night, invested a record-breaking £225.4million during Ten Hag's first transfer window last summer. They brought in six new additions, five of which were permanent signings, to kick-start their squad rebuild.
Though United significantly strengthened their defensive and midfield options, they failed to recruit the world-class striker that they are in desperate need of. Cristiano Ronaldo, though he failed to impress under Ten Hag, left Old Trafford in November and the club is yet to fill his vacated role with a permanent signing.
READ MORE: Erik ten Hag sends message to United board ahead of deadline day
The Reds, who brought Netherlands international Wout Weghorst in on loan earlier this month to strengthen their pool of attacking options until the end of the season, have identified Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane and Napoli ace Victor Osimhen as potential candidates to become the leading face of their forward line. United, as reported by the Manchester Evening News last weekend, are monitoring Kane's situation ahead of his contract expiring at the end of next season.
The England captain would offer United the guarantee of goals that they are desperate for in a centre forward, meaning they ought to do all they can to tempt Spurs into a sale this coming summer. He is, in the eyes of many, one of the best strikers in the world and knows what it takes to score goals at a rapid rate in the Premier League.
As well as wanting to sign a striker in the summer, United also have aspirations of adding a new midfielder to their ranks. Ten Hag wants to bring the average age of his midfield options down, meaning he has ambitions of adding a younger and more dynamic central midfielder to his ranks.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News last month, United have refused to rule out a fresh move for Barcelona ace Frenkie de Jong. The Old Trafford outfit were desperate to land him last summer and their pursuit of him lasted most of the summer.
Ten Hag remains a big fan of his fellow countryman and is keen to be reunited with him after their time together at Ajax. He would bring further control to the Reds' midfield, something Ten Hag regularly calls for from his players.
Signing both De Jong and Kane in one window would require United to dive deep into their transfer kitty, but it is something they know they will have to do if they are to take the next step. Bringing in both players would significantly strengthen United's squad, meaning Ten Hag would have plenty of options to play with.
With that said, MEN Sport has taken a quick look at what United's strongest starting line-up would be next season, in the event of them being able to sign both De Jong and Kane.
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Though question marks remain about De Gea's future at United, it is understood that the club has not identified the task of signing a new goalkeeper as one of their leading priorities ahead of the summer. The Spaniard - despite concerns still being raised about his ball-playing ability - has improved this season, though he has been helped by a much sterner defence in front of him.
As things stand, his contract is up at the end of this season but the club do hold the option of an additional year. Both he and Ten Hag have indicated they expect his contract situation to be resolved.
Defence: Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw
The addition of a new right-back is also believed to be on Ten Hag's wish list ahead of the summer, but it would be harsh to think a new recruit would come in and leapfrog Dalot in the pecking order. Though he has been sidelined through injury in recent weeks, he has been excellent this season, establishing himself as one of United's most important and most improved players.
Varane and Martinez have formed a strong and dependable centre-back partnership, bouncing off each other well, meaning they are likely to continue as Ten Hag's first choice paring next term. Shaw is another player who has gone from strength to strength and deserves to continue at left-back.
Midfield: Casemiro, Frenkie de Jong, Bruno Fernandes
In the event of United signing De Jong, he would most likely slot into Ten Hag's preferred three-man midfield system at the expense of Christian Eriksen. Despite the Dane enjoying a solid debut campaign at Old Trafford, it would make sense for him to be the one to make way for the Dutchman, allowing him to slot in alongside Casemiro and Fernandes.
Casemiro is United's midfield anchor and Fernandes is their architect-in-chief, meaning De Jong's qualities on the ball would complement their respective roles well. It would be a midfield that would offer a bit of everything.
Attack: Antony, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford
Whether United sign Kane or another striker in the summer, whoever it is, they will start down the middle and be tasked with leading the goalscoring responsibility. If it is to be Kane, he will excel in a United side that creates chances for him, meaning wide men Antony and Rashford would be tasked with creating chances for him.
If he is given a good level of service, Kane will thrive, just as he has at Tottenham for the best part of a decade. As for the wide areas, Rashford will continue as a certain starter next season, while Antony will have ambitions to kick on and improve, though he will have Jadon Sancho breathing down his neck.
Dream United starting line-up next season: De Gea; Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, De Jong, Fernandes; Antony, Kane, Rashford.
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