How Manchester United could line up under Erik ten Hag with Cristiano Ronaldo

Interesting times are ahead for Manchester United and their supporters certainly have reason to get excited once again after what has been a dismal season. Erik ten Hag will step into the hot seat after finishing this campaign with Ajax and attentions have already turned to his potential recruits.

Number one priority for United is a top-level holding midfielder. They missed out on that position last summer but did manage to bring in Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Sancho has shown glimpses of the blistering form that made him such a hit at Borussia Dortmund and burst onto the scene with England, while Varane remains in credit amid chaos at centre-back.

READ MORE: Leeds United stance on Kalvin Phillips amid Manchester United transfer interest

Ronaldo has, meanwhile, done what Ronaldo does best. Silencing those who suggest he has been a 'problem', the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 23 goals in all competitions while his current tally in the Premier League (17) has only been equalled by Son Heung-min from Tottenham and bettered by Liverpool sensation Mohamed Salah (22).

With regards to recruitment, Declan Rice was seen as the first port of call. However, there are growing suggestions West Ham will dig their heels in over a £120million-plus valuation.

As such, his England teammate Kalvin Phillips has emerged as a more realistic proposition and figures upstairs have put together the framework for a potential swoop during the upcoming window. Leeds expect him to stay, though, and they value him at around £60million.

Naturally, incoming manager Ten Hag continues to be linked with several Ajax players both past and present, including promising Netherlands defender Jurrien Timber and Antony - a