Sir Jim Ratcliffe has ruthless call to make on Manchester United's biggest transfer dilemma

Pretty much any Manchester United fan could list the areas of priority for the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Everyone knows United must – and will – recruit in central defence, central midfield and indeed in forward areas. With Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial already heading for the exit door, and many set to follow them, a mass exodus is on the cards at Old Trafford.

And not before time. For years, United have needed to properly replenish their squad and this summer, the first summer window since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS' sporting takeover of the club was completed, offers a golden opportunity to wipe the slate clean.

Jonny Evans and Christian Eriksen are likely to follow Varane and Martial out of the club. Permanent suitors will be sought for current loanees Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek, as well as Facundo Pellistri and Hannibal Mejbri. Casemiro, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka could all be sold; even Antony and Marcus Rashford may leave.

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To replace them all, however, United may have to reach double figures in terms of incomings and that seems an unreachable figure.

It may get even harder for United if they have to sign a left-back as well.

The left side of the defence has been hugely problematic for United season with their top choices for those positions, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw, missing for the majority of games. When fit and firing, the pair set the tone and tempo of United's play. Erik ten Hag leaned heavily on them in 2022/23 in the surge to third place and two cup finals.

Yet recent reports suggest United are exploring