Throwing away the lead once again over the weekend and having to settle for a 1-1 draw against Southampton, it appears that Manchester United find themselves in the midst of another struggle.
Crashing out of the FA Cup earlier in the month at the hands of Championship outfit Middlesbrough, the former Premier League champions are still in a real battle to clinch a top-four finish this season.
Having to settle for back-to-back stalemates against Burnley and Southampton over the past week, fans around Old Trafford were also left frustrated by a quiet January transfer window.
Facing what could be a real squad overhaul this summer, we have taken a look at where Manchester United should be looking to strengthen.
A new man at the top
Brought in at the end of November to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick has made it no secret that he wants to extend his stay at Old Trafford and really start a new project in Manchester.
However, with his current deal in the Old Trafford dugout only running until the end of the season, the one-time RB Leipzig boss has really failed to immediately endear himself to the Premier League.
Without a win in their last three appearances across all competitions and watching Middlesbrough end their FA Cup adventure earlier in the month, United have also not been helped by continued reported issues in their dressing room.
With constant speculation over the past month that United’s senior superstars are not enjoying life under Rangnick, the struggling English giants should really be looking for a long-term manager to spearhead their resurge.
Unable to adjust to Rangnick’s renowned ‘gegenpressing’ and offering a style of play that is not going down well at Old Trafford, it is no surprise that United are already sounding out another managerial target for the summer.
With it all but confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino will be ending his tenure at PSG come the end of the season, The Express reported over the weekend that the former Spurs boss is ‘desperate’ to finally take up the reigns in Manchester.
Finding defensive stability
Once again called into action more than he would have liked against Southampton on Saturday lunchtime, there is no doubt that David de Gea has been Manchester United’s one shining light this season.
However, while the Spanish keeper might have refound his best form over recent months, the defensive-minded players in front of him have really failed to offer any kind of stability.
With England international Harry Maguire only coming under more scrutiny and many fans around Old Trafford calling for the former Leicester man to be dropped, United’s lightweight defence has continued to gain a real reputation for their issues.
Despite bringing in World Cup-winner Raphael Varane from Real Madrid last summer, Rangnick’s side have now recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet in their last eight appearances, a run that stems back to December 11th.
Along with a leaky defence, it is fair to say that the central midfield partnership of Scott Mctominay and Fred has also played a role in United’s defensive vulnerabilities this season.
A midfield duo that really fails to strike fear into the opposition at Old Trafford, the arrival of someone like West Ham’s Declan Rice should undoubtedly be at the top of United’s agenda this summer.
A new number nine
While the footballing world might have gone into overdrive when it was announced back in August that Cristiano Ronaldo would be making his return to Manchester United, there were some questions as to whether the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was what the Reds really needed.
Coming in alongside big-money arrival Jadon Sancho, it is fair to say that the duo have struggled to adjust to life back in the Premier League.
With Ronaldo now failing to find the net in any of his last six appearances on the spin, his worst run in 13 years, Rangnick himself has made it clear that a new number nine is at the top of their wishlist this summer.
Expecting Edinson Cavani to head for the Old Trafford exit come the end of the season, and watching Anthony Martial leave on loan last month, United’s lack of a clinical edge has been there for all to see.
Failing to bag more than a single strike in each of their last four matchups across all competitions, United fans have made it clear they’re expecting a top-quality alternative up top.
Along with continued links surrounding an ambition swoop for Erling Haaland, The Metro reported on Saturday that Rangnick’s temporary side also have interest in Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak.
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