Manchester United's next manager already has three players to spare transfer headache

Whoever is handed the task of picking up the baton from Ralf Rangnick this summer, they are going to have to strap themselves in for a bumpy ride.

The challenge of turning Manchester United back into a formidable force at the top of the Premier League table is going to require long-term planning, togetherness and patience.

Although Rangnick's replacement, on the face of it, will inherit a squad packed to the rafters with international stars and world-class talent, the challenge of galvanising United and moving them back towards the trophy-laden life they led during the Sir Alex Ferguson era is an enormous one.

As has been well documented throughout this season, United are — despite investing more than £120million in the squad last summer — going to have to loosen the purse strings again in summer 2022 with a handful of areas within the squad in need of upgrading, least of all central-midfield.

United have been crying out for a holding-midfielder for several years and this season has demonstrated just how badly they lack that world-class presence.

The right-back area has also come under deep scrutiny, with both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot jockeying for the position. United, highlighted by their pursuit of Kieran Trippier almost 12 months ago, should consider upgrading that area of the team to find a long-term solution.

More recently, United's wide areas have also creeped into conversations regarding United's recruitment plans for the forthcoming window. Jadon Sancho checked in at Old Trafford last summer to seemingly solve their long-term search for a right-sided winger. However, although it has taken him several months to get up to speed in England and find a consistent level of form, he is now shining brightly