Manchester United have impressed in pre-season, but Roy Keane is still calling for a significant shake-up.
The former club captain has sent a message to Erik ten Hag, urging the manager to strengthen "the whole core of the team" as the Red Devils aim to make a significant improvement on last season's sixth-place finish. Three wins from three friendlies offer plenty of encouragement, sure, but Keane wants more.
Keane suggested midfield is where he'd start when it comes to further summer additions, while also suggesting there's room for improvement at full-back, centre-back, up front and even in goal. United have confirmed a deal to make Lisandro Martinez their third summer signing after Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen, but with the transfer window open until September 1, there's plenty of time for further signings.
Here, Mirror Football has looked at the five positions in question and identified players who could be good fits for what Keane thinks needs to be done. It's a mix of Premier League regulars, talents from abroad and even one potential returner.
Jan Oblak
United have looked to Atletico Madrid in the past, of course, signing David de Gea from the Spanish club, If they want a longer-term replacement for the Spaniard, they could do a lot worse than return to the same source for Oblak.
The Slovenia international didn't have the best of seasons last term as Atleti's title defence was over almost instantly. However, he remains one of the best in the business and - at least in theory - the 29-year-old should be able to deliver for years to come.
After spending just under £20million for De Gea during the Sir Alex Ferguson years, United have got more than their money's worth. Replacing him could be more expensive, though, and there's no reason to shy away from spending big in an effort to get it right.
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Kyle Walker-Peters
While Malacia will slot in comfortably at left-back, helping improve an area of the defence which Ten Hag was worried about, there will still be questions on the other side. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has underwhelmed for more than a year, while Diogo Dalot - for all his strength going forward - has yet to fully convince defensively.
After signing a number of players with Eredivisie pedigree, Ten Hag might be encouraged to look closer to home. The Premier League has a wealth of England-eligible right-backs - something United will know all too well through Wan-Bissaka's lack of senior international recognition - with Walker-Peters among the more attainable options.
A figure of around £40m has been mooted for the Southampton man, though it remains to be seen whether a lower bid would succeed. For an England international defender aged just 25 who can slot in on the left as well as the right, this doesn't seem too bad.
Milan Skriniar
Inter Milan are said to be keen to extend Skriniar's deal, which expires at the end of the 2022-23 season. Before that happens, though, there may be a feeling that interest from United could tempt the Slovakian to move to the Premier League after several years in Italy.
The 27-year-old has been a staple at the back for Inter since the club spent big to sign him from Sampdoria. Defensive strength was a big part of the 2020-21 title win and last season's second-place finish, and that solidity owed a lot to Skriniar.
If a move for the Paris Saint-Germain-linked defender isn't possible, his teammate Stefan de Vrij is also out of contract in 2023. While a little older at 30, the former Lazio and Feyenoord man is another classy operator.
Fabian Ruiz
With United's efforts to sign Frenkie de Jong continuing to stall, there might come a time when they decide the budget allocated for the Dutchman is better spent elsewhere. Indeed, the hefty fee in the region of £75million could be used on more than one addition, particularly if those targeted are in the last year of their contracts.
Napoli midfielder Ruiz has been a regular in Serie A since joining from Real Betis in 2018. However, with no progress made on extending a deal with less than a year to run, he's likely to be available at a knock-down price.
Arsenal and Newcastle have been linked with the Spaniard, who is likely to be available for less than the £42m the Magpies offered in January. An Old Trafford move has been touted in the past, though, and now could be time to revisit the possibility.
Memphis Depay
This one might be dismissed out of hand by some United fans, given Memphis' struggles during his first spell with the club. However, the Dutch international is a very different player now.
It turns out the thing the former PSV man, 28, needed the most was to be treated as the main man in attack. That happened at Lyon, where he came close to averaging a goal every other game, but Barcelona's summer splurge on Robert Lewandowski means he won't be able to enjoy the same luxuries at Camp Nou.
Ten Hag has insisted he's counting on Cristiano Ronaldo being part of his squad this season, while Anthony Martial has made his case in pre-season. Still, with Memphis reportedly on the market for just £17m, whoever picks him up could be getting a real bargain.
