Keeping Erik ten Hag could cost Manchester United £100m this summer

Erik ten Hag is looking at four areas of improvement this summer; right-back, centre-back, midfield and attack. But which one takes priority?

That has perhaps changed as the season has progressed but Manchester United’s concession of 134 shots in their past five games should be an indication. What’s more, United might only have two fully fit centre-backs to choose from against Liverpool - one of whom has only made seven senior appearances.

Willy Kambwala played well against Chelsea but still shipped two goals. Harry Maguire, who played the entire 112 minutes, conceded four. Raphael Varane and replacement Jonny Evans both went off injured while Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are out for a month with muscle problems.

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Luke Shaw is another option at centre-back but he has played just 15 times all season amid his setbacks. Varane is set to leave at the end of his contract this summer while Evans also sees his deal expire with a renewal not yet agreed.

Centre-back seems the obvious place for Sir Jim Ratcliffe to start his transfer tenure. He must first make a decision on Ten Hag. Should he be kept on, the Dutchman is thought to be poised to headhunt Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Ten Hag has been open about his preference for centre-backs to play on the side of their strongest foot, which is part of the reason Maguire was out of the side for so long last season.

It’s also why Shaw has sometimes played at centre-half in Martinez’s absences. The latter’s setbacks are becoming a long-term problem