Six Manchester United careers could be defined by Erik ten Hag's first season

It might have been a rather slow start to the summer for Manchester United, but things have certainly picked up pace over the past few days. Erik ten Hag took charge of his first United training sessions on Monday. By Tuesday, a fee had been agreed withTyrell Malacia, and by Wednesday, agreements in principle had been struck with both him and Frenkie de Jong.

This week has been all about the new at Old Trafford and the exciting changes that lie afoot, but just as important to United's ambitions next season will be those already at the club.

In particular, there is a group of players who all face defining seasons and whose entire legacy could well be dictated by what happens over the next campaign under Ten Hag.

Two of those come in defence. Despite the impending move for Malacia, it is Luke Shaw who will head into the new season as United's first choice at left-back. The English defender is heading into his ninth campaign at the club, and yet there remain huge question marks about just how good he really is. The 2021 calendar year was the best of Shaw's career to date, but since then he has regressed and is once again having to prove himself under a new manager.

Malacia's arrival indicates Ten Hag is well aware of Shaw's shortcomings and now it is down to him to rise to the challenge of genuine competition and monopolise the starting role in the same way he did following Alex Telles' arrival two years ago.

Elsewhere in the backline is Harry Maguire. For some supporters, the current United captain will never be able to repair his fractured reputation at the club, but in the eyes of many, he is still a talented player with so much more to offer. There can be no ignoring just how badly he has played at times, but so often