It's less than a week since the summer transfer window closed but in the world of recruitment, the planning never stops.
Manchester United's summer of 2022 is one for the annals. A window when £72million was put aside for months on end for a player that never arrived, that briefly threatened to unravel just weeks before it shut and ended with a record outlay on five permanent signings.
All five will find themselves in Erik ten Hag's best team within a few weeks and there's no doubt the starting XI has been significantly strengthened.
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That outcome looked unlikely for several weeks between the window opening on June 10 and closing on September 1, but United got there in the end. Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Antony all look like good signings and half of the outfield team from last season has changed.
Four successive wins and the late spending spree on Casemiro and Antony have lifted spirits at Old Trafford and given United renewed hope of a top-four finish, an outcome that many had given up on after just two games.
Getting back into the Champions League would certainly boost the transfer budget for next summer, but it would be no surprise if United spent the next nine months planning for two eventualities when it comes to their window.
The early successes of Ten Hag's signings suggest there won't be as much to do next summer and United might well be in a position to look at just three key signings, rather than a wholesale squad refresh.
It's clear that a striker will be top of the wishlist next year. Ten Hag hasn't ruled out taking the option in Cristiano Ronaldo's contract, but he will be 38 next summer and that feels unlikely.
No matter how well Anthony Martial does this season, another striker will be required next summer and it might need to be a long-term solution to the No. 9 role, much as Manchester City achieved with the signing of Erling Haaland this summer.
How this season pans out will condition who United pursue for that role, but early candidates could be Victor Osimhen at Napoli, Tammy Abraham at Roma or Christopher Nkunku at RB Leipzig.
United might also see the value of signing another central midfielder. The addition of Casemiro negates the need for Declan Rice, but a top-four finish is essential to be in the conversation to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
Liverpool are also going to be pushing for Bellingham and it would be no surprise if Chelsea made a move, but United have had contact with his family previously and he will be a brilliant signing for whoever lands him.
There may be a decision to be made on a new goalkeeper next summer, although much of that depends on how David de Gea and Dean Henderson get on this season.
One position that is likely to need strengthening is right-back. Diogo Dalot has started the season well, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka doesn't appear to fit into Ten Hag's plans and more competition is needed. Whether Ten Hag looks for a starting right-back depends on how Dalot progresses this season.
The make-up of this team has changed considerably since the end of last season, but United should already be thinking a year ahead and the next stage of Ten Hag's evolution.
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