Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ten Hag wants answers from three Man Utd players with Maguire and Wan-Bissaka facing inquisition

Man Utd defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Harry Maguire

Erik ten Hag has identified a core of roughly eight players he can build around, though a report has claimed he wants answers from three Man Utd players first.

The Dutchman has been chosen as the man Manchester United believe can turn their fortunes around. The Red Devils have endured a dismal campaign which will see their trophy-less streak extend into a sixth season.

Qualification to the Champions League is also hanging by a thread. Their 3-0 thumping of Brentford kept their hopes alive, but they’re a distant third favourite in the race at present.

United’s squad on opening day next year could look unrecognisable to the one that stung the Bees on Monday night.

Indeed, Edinson Cavani, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba are all due to leave for free. Nemanja Matic will also be allowed to depart one year early after an option for an extra 12 months wasn’t triggered.

Now, according to the Telegraph, Ten Hag is planning a ‘huge overhaul’ of his new squad this summer.

At least three ‘key’ signings will be targeted. That is a far cry from Ralf Rangnick’s insistence that 10 new faces could arrive. However, the report notes there is an acceptance within the club that one window won’t be enough to fix their lengthy list of problems.

It’s claimed Ten Hag has already identified a core of roughly eight players he can build around. While the identities of those players aren’t named, the claim Ten Hag is seeking answers to several puzzling questions has dropped clues.

Ten Hag wants answers

Firstly, the Dutchman wants to get to the bottom of Harry Maguire’s drop in form.

The centre-half continues to put in stellar displays for England – something that he isn’t replicating at Old Trafford.

It’s claimed a new left-sided centre-half could be signed to allow Maguire to move onto the right. Whether that would be in place of Raphael Varane or in a back three isn’t stated.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another player whose dip in form has been head scratching.

The 24-year-old could be the subject of a loan approach from Crystal Palace this summer according to the Athletic.

Diogo Dalot has taken great strides forward this year and £50m man Wan-Bissaka has not upped his game to fend off the added competition.

The Telegraph state Ten Hag will review Wan-Bissaka’s plight and aim to put his finger on precisely what’s gone wrong.

The future of Marcus Rashford is also up in the air. The forward has notched just five goals and two assists all season. Those lowly figures will be the lowest tallies he has accrued since becoming a regular in Manchester.

Rangnick reportedly believed two new strikers must be signed and it’s noted Ten Hag will likely agree with that assessment.

That could spell the end for Rashford with Manchester United slowly beginning to believe a sale might actually be best for all parties.

Regardless of what course of action Ten Hag takes, this summer is likely to be one of United’s most important in the Premier League era.