Manchester United could unleash new defensive partnership that costs nothing next season

There will be a lot for Erik ten Hag to consider as he looks to improve Manchester United during the off-season. The end of a campaign brings with it hopes of a fresh beginning and, naturally, plenty of transfer talk as teams look to bolster their squads with new additions.

United are no different. They are expecting another busy summer of both arrivals and departures as they look to take the next step in their rebuild and close the gap between them and the leading sides in the Premier League.

One of the biggest changes they make this summer could be as simple as making just one alteration to their starting line up though.

Read more: United change pre-season plans after losing FA Cup final

Ten Hag is still working out which players are best-suited to his desired style of play and the final months of the season shone a light on the talent he has in reserve.

Victor Lindelof was one of United's best performers over the final months of the season and might have already done enough to edge himself up the pecking order ahead of pre-season.

The Sweden captain performed brilliantly when given a regular run of matches towards the end of the campaign, impressing not only with his sheer defensive qualities but his distribution skills as well.

Perhaps surpririsngly, Lindelof finished the Premier League season with the best pass completion percentage of anyone in the division, narrowly beating Manchester City duo Manuel Akanji and John Stones to the top spot.

City players dominated the rankings, with half of the top 10 playing for the club. Lisandro Martinez was the second-highest ranking United player in the competition, finishing 29th overall.

Those two centre-backs encapsulate everything that Ten Hag wants from his defenders;