Man Utd transfer priorities after Red Devils seal Donny van de Beek signing

Manchester United completed their first signing of the summer transfer window on Wednesday.

Donny van de Beek has arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax for a fee that could rise to £39million.

The Netherlands international provides additional strength in depth in midfield and has been earmarked as an alternative to Bruno Fernandes.

Van de Beek is also capable of playing in a deeper berth in the engine room, which could see him rotate with Paul Pogba at times.

However, with the new Premier League season scheduled to get under way in little over a week’s time, United are in need of further reinforcements.

A third-place finish last time out was a good achievement but the Reds will now be expected to kick on in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s second full campaign at the helm.

Here are United’s three transfer priorities following the acquisition of Van de Beek.

Centre-back

United’s team looks top-heavy right now. A front four of Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood – with Pogba and Van de Beek providing support – is thrilling but must be balanced out at the other end of the field.

United conceded only 36 goals last term – a superior record to anyone but Liverpool and Manchester City – but that doesn’t tell the full story.

The jury is still out on Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof as a centre-back partnership. It would certainly be possible for United to find an upgrade for the latter, with Kalidou Koulibaly and Dayot Upamecano two tantalising – if expensive – options.

But even if Solskjaer is content to stick with last season’s centre-back duo, superior back-up options are required.

Chris Smalling rebuilt his reputation on loan at Roma last season, but he’s had ample time to prove himself at United and hasn’t yet won over the doubters.

The Serie A side are keen to sign him permanently and Smalling would probably welcome a return to Italy.

Elsewhere, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly are too injury-prone to be relied upon, and Timothy Fosu-Mensah is unlikely to get many minutes in 2020/21.

Another central defender is an absolute must if United intend to match or better last season’s third-place finish.

Right winger

It’s no secret that Jadon Sancho is United’s leading transfer target, although prising him away from Borussia Dortmund on the eve of the new season won’t be easy.

Money talks, though, and United are one of the few teams with the financial muscle to afford the England international.

Sancho would instantly become a starter at Old Trafford were he to join, but United would do well to seek alternative right wingers if the BVB man is ultimately unobtainable.

Greenwood impressed when stationed on the right last term, but his future is surely through the middle.

And with Aaron Wan-Bissaka a reluctant attacker from right-back, United require someone to provide width and dynamism out on that flank.

Daniel James started last season well but is not yet influential enough to start week in, week out.

Sancho would be the dream addition but United must line up some plan B options in his position.

Left-back

Another striker wouldn’t go amiss at Old Trafford, but a left-back is probably more important.

Brandon Williams enjoyed a promising breakout campaign in 2019/20, and he may well have a bright future ahead of him.

For now, though, he is a little too inexperienced to be relied upon for an entire season.

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Of course, Luke Shaw remains ahead of Williams in the pecking order, but his injury record means it would also be risky to rely on him.

The latest reports suggest United could make a move for Sergio Reguilon, who looks poised to leave Real Madrid on a permanent basis this summer.

That would be an astute move, particularly as United will have Champions League football to contend with this season.

Strength in depth is the name of the game and Solskjaer will be doing his best to make that known to Ed Woodward in the coming weeks.

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