sport news How Man United could line up next season as Erik ten Hag looks to close the gap ... trends now
This season has certainly been a step forward for Manchester United with Erik ten Hag guiding the Red Devils back into the Champions League.
But they still have work to do to catch Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, and plenty will depend on their summer recruitment.
United are already being linked with some eye-catching transfers that would undoubtedly make them a force to be reckoned with next year.
Ten Hag's men were the lowest scorers in the top six this season, and had some alarming away performances that saw them slip to heavy defeats at City, Brentford and Liverpool.
But the club look set to try and address these issues by bringing in some fresh faces this summer. Mail Sport has taken a look at how United could line up in a 4-3-3 formation in 2023-24.
Erik ten Hag has led Man United back into the top four but there is still work to do
David de Gea won the Premier League Golden Glove for the second time in his career this season, keeping 17 clean sheets in total.
But concerns remain about his ability with the ball at his feet after Newcastle's Jacob Murphy revealed the Magpies deliberately targeted the Spanish goalkeeper at St James' Park in April.
De Gea has also not agreed a contract extension yet, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the month. Ten Hag has insisted he wants to keep De Gea, but it may be time to start looking elsewhere.
Diogo Costa has emerged as a potential target, and United are reportedly willing to pay his £65m release clause. He is expected to leave Porto this summer, and Old Trafford could be his next destination.
Costa is nine years younger than De Gea, but has already established himself as Portugal's No 1, and his distribution is far superior to United's current first-choice shot-stopper.
If United want to start building from the back more effectively, Costa looks like a better option to go with moving forward.
Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer
Costa could replace David de Gea who is yet to sign a new contract with United
Dalot's future at Old Trafford looked to be uncertain at the start of the season, but he has won the trust of Ten Hag during the course of the campaign.
He featured in 26 league games and largely got the nod over Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right flank.
The Portuguese star can still improve his attacking output to ensure United aren't too reliant on their left-hand side, but he is only 24 and has time on his side to develop this part of his game.
He signed a five-year contract extension on Wednesday, highlighting that Ten Hag sees him as a key part of his plans for the seasons ahead.
With this in mind, Dalot ought to retain his place at right back next term.
Centre back - Raphael VaraneVarane's fitness has been a problem ever since he arrived in England, and Ten Hag will have hoped for him to play more than 24 league games this season.
But there is no doubt that United are a better team when he is playing.
The World Cup winner brings calmness to the backline, and is comfortable stepping out of defence to start attacks.
He turned 30 in April, and United will need to start thinking about finding a long-term replacement in the not-too-distant future.
But for now, he is still one of the best defenders in the league and a guaranteed starter when fit and available.
Raphael Varane has had problems with injuries but remains a key part of the back four
Jamie Carragher was adamant at the start of the season that Martinez would not succeed in the Premier League due to his height but the Argentine has proven the former Liverpool defender wrong.
The tenacious centre back has been a breath of fresh air at United, adding some much-needed grit to the defence.
He has slotted in seamlessly alongside Varane, and the duo are now the clear first-choice pairing for Ten Hag.
Martinez's unfortunate injury against Sevilla in April brought his season to a premature end, but he ought to be back in plenty of time for next term.
There is no need for Ten Hag to switch things up - Martinez looks the real deal, and at 25, he is only likely to get better.
Left back - Luke ShawCompleting the back four is Shaw, who has had an impressive 2022-23 season.
It has been a rollercoaster United career for Shaw over the last nine years that has seen him lose his place on multiple occasions, but he now appears to be at his peak.
Injuries have been less of an issue this year, and he has been one of the team's most consistent performers.
There are not many better left backs in the Premier League, so it is hard to see how United would be able to upgrade in this position.
Shaw deserves to keep his place at left back, with Tyrell Malacia providing adequate cover if
