Manchester United and Everton among clubs with most work to do before deadline

There are a little over two weeks to go until the transfer window closes on September 1, and several Premier League clubs still have much work ahead of them.

Here, the PA news agency looks as those with the biggest to-do lists in the final days of August.

Where to start? Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Brentford ruthlessly exposed the problems that run throughout a United squad assembled by multiple managers and a muddled recruitment process, begging the question as to whether this squad can play the way Erik ten Hag wants. David De Gea looks uncomfortable with his manager’s desire to play from the back and, with Dean Henderson gone, needs some competition. Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia have added to the numbers in defence, but United still need significant midfield upgrades in addition to the expected acquisition of Adrien Rabiot, with the three-month pursuit of Frenkie de Jong rumbling on. Attack is yet another concern, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s attitude becoming a distraction and Anthony Martial – a player deemed surplus to requirements last season – the primary alternative as it stands.

After a slow start to the window Everton burst into life, with Conor Coady and Amadou Onana following James Tarkowski and Dwight McNeil into the club. But far more is needed. Former talisman Richarlison must be replaced following his move to Tottenham, with the injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin sidelined again and the veteran Salomon Rondon the only other senior striker in the squad. Efforts continue to bring midfielder Idrissa Gueye back to the club from Paris St Germain and may be redoubled given the hamstring injury suffered by Abdoulaye Doucoure on Saturday, something Everton can ill-afford given the number of midfielders already in