£33m Zirkzee transfer, Man United dilemma, Ratcliffe theory - Final Romelu Lukaku verdict given

Manchester United's summer transfer window is gearing up but so far new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be making more off-the-pitch additions than on-the-pitch ones.

New sporting director Dan Ashworth kicked off the month, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake both set to join Erik ten Hag's backroom staff after the Dutchman's one-year extension option was confirmed by the club this week. Former Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell is also set to arrive at Old Trafford - at least in the short-term - to help with player recruitment and talent ID.

However, there are still pressing issues on the pitch. The club's worst Premier League finish in 34 years and a calamitous Champions League group stage looked certain to mark the end of Ten Hag's time in the dugout but a brilliant FA Cup final victory over rivals Manchester City seems to have sparked the squad into life.

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While there will no doubt be many exits over the summer, there is the clear need for upgrades in all three thirds of the pitch. Defensively woeful last season, United are looking to make sure that goalkeeper Andre Onana doesn't have to face as many shots as he did throughout the 2023/24 campaign while the midfield needs some fresh legs in order to control the centre of the pitch.

Going forward was where United arguably looked their best, with Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund both leading the line for the club's attackers with a struggling Marcus Rashford unable to replicate his 30-goal campaign from the season prior.