Erik ten Hag has told Dan Ashworth three things he wants from next Man United signing

There is at least one alarming gap in the Manchester United squad with two more signings incoming, and manager Erik ten Hag knows that better than anyone else.

After striking up deals for Leno Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee already, Ineos have agreed a combined transfer fee worth £51.5million for Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt - and both signings are tipped to be rubber-stamped before United get their Premier League campaign underway.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is heading to West Ham to make room for Mazraoui, financially and otherwise, and more sales are imperative for United to continue their recruitment drive amid PSR caution. Another left-back, centre-back and forward are all on the shopping list.

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However, their main priority between now and August 30 is signing cover and competition for Casemiro. Ten Hag left that order of business until the last minute last summer, when recruiting Sofyan Amrabat on loan, and in doing so explained three traits he will demand from his next marquee arrival this summer.

"One of my wishes to get another [number] six," said Ten Hag upon completing a swoop for Amrabat last summer. "You need depth in there, in that position we only had Casemiro who can play really well there.

"Also, he can play alongside Casemiro because he can play a little bit higher [as a box-to-box midfielder]. He's very dynamic, he's very good in the duels. We are pleased that we have him at United and he will contribute to our high targets we set... Sofyan fits very good to the Premier League and Champions League."

It's not beyond question that Amrabat could still return to Old Trafford this summer.