Erik ten Hag could hand Pau Torres dream Man United shirt number with summer transfer decision

Pau Torres could get his dream shirt number if he completed a transfer to Manchester United this summer, though it's likely to depend on whether Erik ten Hag believes Phil Jones has a future at the club.

Although midfield remains the priority position for Ten Hag to strengthen in his first transfer window as United boss, centre-back has emerged as another which needs reinforcements. This is despite the club having spent nearly £200million on its five options there at present.

United endured a disastrous season as they registered their lowest-ever Premier League points tally of a measly 58 and an equally embarrassing goal difference of zero. Even the arrival of four-time Champions League winner Raphael Varane last summer failed to fix the side's defensive frailties, with the Frenchman having a difficult debut season in England.

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Harry Maguire had an especially tough campaign as his form nosedived after his heroics for England at Euro 2020 and, while putting in some decent displays, Victor Lindelof continued to prove that he's unlikely to be a long-term solution. United's other two senior centre-backs, Jones and Eric Bailly, are now periphery figures.

Despite bizarrely being given a new long-term contract running until 2024 just last year, Bailly featured a mere seven times in the campaign. The Ivorian again spent much of the year on the sidelines and failed to impress in any of his rare appearances.

Jones' season had a much happier story as he made a long-awaited return to action after two years of injury hell, putting in a good display in his first match back against Wolves. The 30-year-old went on to make a further five appearances