The core group of top players Erik ten Hag will inherit at Manchester United

David de Gea

He has figuratively stood still, is literally rooted to his line and in 11 years has been credited with one Premier League assist (that Bruno Fernandes grazed en route to Edinson Cavani ). Yet if an Exocet was fired at a goalframe De Gea would still be the most dependable 'keeper to halt it.

De Gea's commitment to United has grown with his longevity and he chimed with supporters at Crystal Palace when he advised certain teammates, "'If you don't want to stay, go."

For four years De Gea was the best 'keeper around and while he relinquished that status four years ago, he is still up there with Alisson, Thibaut Courtois, Ederson, Manuel Neuer and Jan Oblak. The goalkeeping situation at United could be re-evaluated next year but Dean Henderson already has one foot out of the door and Erik ten Hag needs a squad that is completely committed.

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Raphael Varane

Varane suffered his sixth injury or ailment since joining United in France's 2-1 Nations League defeat to Denmark on Friday night. Varane, 29, is in danger of being bracketed with other starry signings whose careers died at United. His reputation was intact for most of the season as he avoided participation in the first five four-goal maulings, then Varane was all at sea by the Brighton seaside.

Up until then, it was fair to cite Varane's absence against Leicester, Liverpool, Watford and City as a contributing factor to the thrashings. United are a better defensive side with Varane in it and they never lost when he and Harry Maguire started and finished a game together. That only happened 11 times.

United signed Varane ten years later than they would have wished but he is a serial winner and their only