Manchester United have six months to convince their dream midfielder to sign

The summer transfer window might have only just closed, but Manchester United already need to be laying the foundations to ensure the next one can be a success too. Erik ten Hag was backed with £225.41m this summer, the most the club has ever spent in a single window.

United addressed most of their issues with the players they brought in, and even though there was a desire for another attacker and a full-back, there will be no sympathy if Ten Hag is unable to secure a top-four finish with the squad he has assembled.

Signing a proper striker will no doubt be the priority next year, particularly with Cristiano Ronaldo looking likely to leave at the end of his contract, though academy starlet Charlie McNeill could earn a permanent first-team promotion to add another option upfront.

READ MORE: Lindelof might have a new role

Next on the list, though, will be a progressive central midfielder, the type of player Ten Hag prioritised this summer with his failed pursuit of Frenkie de Jong. United compensated by adding Casemiro to the team, but he is a completely different profile of player, and Christian Eriksen has been moulded into the stop-gap for the more expansive role.

United could well revive their interest in the Dutchman next year, though any move would rely on them returning to the Champions League and De Jong actively wanting to leave the club, something that never interested him this summer.

However, if United are really interested in signing a progressive midfielder next summer, then Jude Bellingham should be the name at the very top of their list.

The 19-year-old is already a household name across Europe thanks to his exploits at Borussia Dortmund and will likely grow his reputation when he features for