Manchester United's second-choice starting XI ahead of new season

Erik ten Hag has been backed relatively well this summer, but it remains to be seen if the squad depth has improved due to the signings.

Last season, Manchester United finished 14 points behind City. They managed to win a trophy and secured Champions League qualification. However, City managed to win the treble and the gulf in quality between the two teams is as gaping as it has ever been.

However, in-roads have been made this summer with United identifying their key targets and areas on the field that they need to strengthen. Credit where it's due, the hierarchy at Old Trafford knew exactly what to do this summer and have gone about it the right way - with surgical precision.

Three key areas needed to be strengthened by the board - goalkeeper, midfielder and striker. After a series of negotiations, United pried away Andre Onana from Inter Milan. Prior to this, they had to cut ties with club legend David de Gea, something that is seen as necessary evil amongst the fans.

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Next up was shoring up the midfield and United addressed this problem by going after Mason Mount and poaching him from a fellow Premier League rival Chelsea.

Finally, getting a bonafide striker who can guarantee goals was the need of the hour at United. In comes Rasmus Hojlund, a 20-year-old Danish striker from Atalanta for a fee that could be worth up to £72 million. The youngster has been thrust into the limelight at such an age but has shown that he has the mental fortitude to take it in his stride from his time with La Dea.

United have spent north of £170 million on the aforementioned three players and