Premier League star high on new Man United boss’ wishlist

Incoming Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag will be handed a sufficient budget to make improvements to the club’s squad, but the Dutchman believes he can also improve the current crop of players.

As per The Guardian, the 52-year-old will be allowed to bring in new faces in a few key positions, namely a centre-back, a central midfielder and an attacker.

The Ajax boss, who was announced as Ralf Rangnick’s successor on Thursday, believes that United’s current squad have been severely underperforming and has identified four groups of players within the squad that are worth keeping hold of.

Those at the peak of their careers, such as Raphael Varane and Bruno Fernandes are one of those groups; so too are those entering into that phase, such as Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay; then there are players on an upward trajectory such as Jadon Sancho; and finally young players for whom he thinks the future is bright, such as Hannibal Mejbri, Alejandro Garnacho and James Garner.

While Ten Hag will look to improve United’s current squad, he will be able to sign players and the likes of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard moving on will allow him greater flexibility in the market.

Rice looks increasingly unlikely to be playing for West Ham next term

Declan Rice is high on the Dutchman’s list of targets, according to the report, although the West Ham midfielder would not come cheap.

The England star has been heavily linked with a move away from the Hammers in recent months, and United and Chelsea are believed to be the most likely destinations for the 23-year-old.

Rice has been in sensational form in East London over the past few seasons, and the Englishman has been crucial to the club’s run to the Europa League semi-finals.

United have been on the lookout for a central midfielder for a while now, and with Pogba and Nemanja Matic looking increasingly likely to depart this summer, that problem will be worsened.

Donny van de Beek, who is currently on loan at Everton having failed to secure a starting spot at United, will be given the chance to revive his career under the coach who he worked with at Ajax.

The Red Devils will still be looking for a midfielder, though, with Fernandes, McTominay and Fred the club’s only three other recognised central midfielders.