Erik ten Hag still needs to solve Harry Maguire problem if he stays at Manchester United

Manchester United like to give it all big licks and bravado but they so often disappoint.

As a positive season came to a close all the right noises were made. The underperforming players would be up for sale and talented ones would come in. A much-needed striker is the biggest priority and look, look! We want Harry Kane! He's our top target and we're going to do... What's that? Tottenham won't sell him? Ah, never mind then.

The new Premier League season is just over a month away and United have gotten nowhere close to addressing their most troubled position following on from a campaign in which they struggled to score. Instead, the focus went towards bringing in Mason Mount - which could well be a good signing, in fairness - and now they have an even bigger problem on their hands as they scramble to replace David de Gea after botching his departure.

And who else have United managed to get rid of so far? Two released defenders who were nowhere near the team and a promising young midfielder for less than a million. United have been appalling at selling players for years and the trend is appearing to continue.

Also read: United set Maguire valuation ahead of Ten Hag talks

The root of the problem is twofold. United have handed out exceedingly generous contracts with high wages and long years to undeserving players and understandably they are often unwilling to lose out on what they are owed.

Then a bewildering fear of losing players on the cheap or for nothing leads to them setting ridiculous asking prices which are never going to be paid. It's almost as if they're praying a naive Saudi Arabian club will come calling. But even those clubs, with their unlimited resources, would surely balk at a ridiculous £50million asking