Erik ten Hag only has a handful of matches left before the World Cup break, where the Manchester United manager will assess his squad ahead of the January transfer window.
Marcus Rashford's 100th goal for the club saw United beat West Ham 1-0 on Sunday, as the Reds extended their unbeaten run to eight games across all competitions. All eyes now turn to the Europa League, Ten Hag's side will be out for revenge against Real Sociedad.
Cristiano Ronaldo was handed just his third Premier League start of the season against the Hammers, as the 37-year-old looked to put the antics during the win against Tottenham well and truly behind him.
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There are countless talking points both on and off-the pitch at the club right now, and with that in mind, our senior United writer Tyrone Marshall has been answering your questions on the MEN website.
Q: Do you think that any of the following players could make a difference to this United side? Illan Meslier, Sergej Milenkovic Savic, Leandro Trossard, Patrik Schick, Milan Skriniar, Malo Gusto, Denzel Dumfries, Vanderson - Wilfried Ndidi.
TM: Meslier is a goalkeeper a lot of clubs have kept an eye on, he is good with his feet and has a lot of experience of playing in the Premier League. I don't see Skriniar happening, he would want big wages as a free agent and a guaranteed starting position, which he won't get.
Ndidi, they've [United have] just committed £70million and massive wages on Casemiro in that position. SMS [Milenkovic Savic] is a player they've been linked with before, another midfielder is a possibility in the next couple of years, but [Jude] Bellingham is an obvious target if possible.
Trossard is having a golden patch, but there's no long-term signs he is heading to a big six club and there would be a big Premier League premium attached to that. I also think they will be after a better forward than Patrick Schick when they look in that area next summer.
A right-back is definitely on the agenda. Not heard those names mentioned [Dumfries, Gusto and Vanderson] at the moment, but think they will be casting the net relatively wide for a RB who can get forward and compete with Dalot.
Q: Any update on the current situation with the Glazers?
TM: I would be surprised if they looked to sell any time soon. The protests this season are keeping the issue live and relevant, but at best, at the moment, I see a scenario where they maybe consider some outside investment to help with funding stadium costs.
It's been clear that the tone has changed at the club recently when it comes to Old Trafford and the costs have risen around the stadium redevelopment, with the price of materials going up. I know the cost of building a gym for United Women at Carrington has gone up by £2million due to increased external costs, and I think the same pressures will be relevant around plans for Old Trafford.
It's felt like there has been a more cautious tone around the redevelopment recently
Q: Do you think Facundo Pellestri has been hard done by regarding gametime so far this season?
TM: Yes, I think he will be disappointed at the way the season has gone for him. He's looked bright in pre-season two years in a row now, without ever making the breakthrough. His loan spell at Alaves was fairly average last year, he only started six La Liga games, and he clearly needs to be playing.
He's been on the bench a bit this season but hasn't got on and with everyone fit in attack it's hard to see how he breaks in at the moment. He clearly needs a loan move in January and I would imagine that was what the agent was referring to, unless he has a really good World Cup and United see an opportunity to cash in.
Q: Do you expect a title charge next year?
TM: It's possible, that's for sure, but a lot still depends on Manchester City. It still feels like a points total in the mid 90s, at least, will be required, and United need to find the consistency to make that happen. They would certainly need better squad depth to achieve that
Q: Will Ten Hag give the youngsters a chance in the Carabao Cup?
TM: I think there's a chance we might see some youngsters in the Carabao Cup game, although Ten Hag does seem keen to play strong teams and keep winning games/developing a style of play. As for the Europa League, I think losing that first game to Real Sociedad has ruined any chances of major rotation.
Topping the group really is key given the potential for a very difficult play-off round and two extra games in February. I think United are well aware that if they need that extra round and progress from it, as well as getting through in cups, then it becomes very difficult to rearrange the two Premier League games they have had postponed against Crystal Palace and Leeds.
Q: Does another centre-back need to be signed to help challenge for trophies?
TM: I think another centre-back is quite far down the list for now. United spent £80million on Maguire in 2019, £42million on Varane in 2021 and £56million on Martinez in 2022. They can't afford to spend significantly again in that position. Varane and Martinez should be starting games and after that you need reliable back-ups.
Lindelof fits that bill and if Maguire can rediscover some confidence then he should as well. He played well in the second half on Sunday. One of the biggest issues United would have with Maguire is if they decided to sell him now, they would have to take a massive, massive loss, and I think they'd rather retain him as third-choice, maybe fourth-choice, than do that at the moment
Q: Is a central striker a priority?
TM: I think there will be a plan to spend on a forward next summer. [Victor] Osimhen is certainly a player that will be looked at, but there will be competition for his signature. The problem with elite-level forwards these days is that there are so few of them about and United expect to be battling with other clubs for the same kind of striker next summer
Q: Any thoughts on offering Sancho to Dortmund in part exchange for Bellingham ?
TM: I can't see that happening. Sancho won't want to go back to Dortmund at this stage of his career and United won't be ready to give up on him just yet. Bellingham would obviously be a great signing, but they will have to be in the Champions League to have any chance of getting him. There will be an awful lot of competition
Q: Regardless of whether or not Ronaldo leaves, are United looking for a veteran striker as a short-term solution?
TM: If Ronaldo doesn't leave then there's no chance of United signing a striker in January, they just don't need one with Martial, Ronaldo and Rashford all able to play there. If Ronaldo does go then they might look at a short-term option, but they've coped so far despite Martial only being able to make four substitute appearances, so I wouldn't say it's a guarantee.
I think it's fairly clear that a young striker/forward will be on the agenda for summer 2023 and that will be the priority, rather than an Ighalo-esque short-term fix
Q: Is a right-back a priority to take the pressure off Dalot playing every game?
TM: A right-back is certainly a possibility in this window, although I wouldn't expect too much activity at all. Ten Hag had a right-back on his list in the summer and it's clear Wan-Bissaka doesn't fit into his plans. I think he would have started a game or two but for injury this season. He was named on the bench against Real Sociedad on September 8, ended up sat in the stands and hasn't been involved since. United need a more progressive right-back to compete with Dalot, whether that is in January or in the summer
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