Five matters for Manchester United to address before end of transfer window

The club's summer business is not complete, but the rules surrounding Financial Fair Play mean that the Red Devils cannot be free-spending, and it is set to be a careful and thoughtful end to the window for the club rather than a reckless one, with each million counting at this stage.

Man United are currently building towards their 2023-24 Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 14, and it is vital that the team make a strong start to the season.

It is set to be a fascinating battle towards the top end of the table next term, and the 20-time English champions will be aiming to come flying out the blocks.

There is still a lot of work to do in the coming weeks, though, and with that in mind, Sports Mole picks out five matters that the club need to address before September 1.

Address goalkeeping situation - who will join Onana in the set-up?

Onana's arrival is a huge boost for the club; the Cameroonian will transform Man United's ability to play out from the back, and there is no downplaying the importance of the 27-year-old's move.

He is the new number one, but there is huge uncertainty when it comes to the rest of the goalkeeping department, which is hardly ideal this close to the start of the campaign.

Dean Henderson is expected to join Nottingham Forest in the near future, which could mean that Tom Heaton, who recently signed a contract extension, starts the season as the number two.

Heaton's future has also been the subject of speculation, though, and the 37-year-old, linked with Everton and Luton Town, may push for an exit if he drops down to number three, with Man United being linked with Urawa Red Diamonds' Zion Suzuki and Fenerbahce's Altay Bayindir.

Nathan Bishop and Radek Vitek played in Tuesday's pre-season clash with Wrexham, which a youthful Red Devils outfit lost 3-1, while Matej Kovar has also been used this summer, with the 23-year-old returning to the club after a successful loan spell at Sparta Prague.

Kovar is thought to be preparing to depart once again, though, and it does seem likely that Onana and Heaton will be in the set-up alongside a new addition, with the Red Devils set to turn their attention to a new stopper later in the window when the size of the budget is clearer.

Harry Maguire future - a summer exit still makes the most sense

Ten Hag has said that he wants to keep hold of Maguire this summer, but the England international is currently being linked with a move to West Ham United.

The 30-year-old, who recently had the captain's armband taken away from him, is believed to be willing to stay at Old Trafford and battle for a spot in the side, but it is very difficult to imagine him changing his situation at the club.

Indeed, Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-back pairing, with Victor Lindelof the next in line; Luke Shaw was also used ahead of Maguire in central defence last season when Varane and Martinez were both injured, which was incredibly telling.

Jonny Evans could yet be offered a longer-term deal, so it is tough to see where the games will come for Maguire, who started just eight times in the Premier League last term.

The defender's huge wages, thought to be close to £200,000 a week, will make it difficult for Man United to move him on permanently, but a loan exit is an option, and it makes most sense for him to leave rather than spend another campaign sitting on the bench, especially ahead of the European Championship.

Midfield departures and the addition of another player in that area

Mount has been thrown into the mix alongside Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes, with the four players all set to be regulars for the Red Devils next season.

There is huge uncertainty when it comes to the futures of Fred, Scott McTominay and Donny van de Beek, though, with all three players being linked with summer departures.

The emergence of 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who has been outstanding during pre-season, has also arguably pushed the three players further down the pecking order.

Of the three, Fred and Van de Beek are seen as the more likely to leave, but McTominay is interesting West Ham, and an offer in the region of £40m would be very difficult to turn down.

Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the 20-time English champions, and the Morocco international would be a very smart addition for a relatively small fee.

Indeed, with his contract set to expire next June, there is a belief that a deal could be done for around €30m (£25.9m), and he is seemingly the perfect defensive midfielder for the Premier League.

The arrival of a new centre-forward - Hojlund bid now lodged

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Man United have now made their first bid for Atalanta BC centre-forward Rasmus Hojlund, who is the club's leading target this summer.

It is understood that a €50m (£42.8m) fixed fee plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons has been offered to Atalanta, but the Italian outfit are thought to want €70m (£59.9m).

There have been suggestions that Man United could reignite their interest in Harry Kane, who is now looking likely to leave Tottenham Hotspur during this summer's transfer window.

However, Hojlund, who scored 10 goals and registered four assists in 34 appearances for Atalanta last season, is very much the club's leading attacking target.

Man United simply have to bring in a new centre-forward due to their lack of options in the final third of the field, and Ten Hag wants the deal to happen as soon as possible.

Jadon Sancho has been trialled as a false nine during pre-season, scoring from that position against Arsenal on Saturday night, while Anthony Martial is set to stay this summer, but if Man United are serious about challenging for major trophies next term, then they desperately need another attacking addition.

Loan exits - who would benefit from a season away?

A number of the club's youngsters on the pre-season tour of the United States will be eyeing loan exits this summer to continue their development.

Hannibal Mejbri and Facundo Pellistri are likely to head out on loan this summer, while Ten Hag has a big decision to make when it comes to Amad Diallo, who was excellent at Sunderland last season.

The 21-year-old picked up an ankle injury against Arsenal on Saturday but is expected back in the near future and still has plenty of time to make a strong impression during pre-season.

Mason Greenwood's future is also the subject of much speculation, with Man United said to be close making a final decision when it comes to the 21-year-old.

Having had all criminal charges against him dropped, Greenwood is free to resume his career, and it is widely thought that he will be spending the 2023-24 campaign out on loan.

It is now thought to be very unlikely that the Englishman will leave permanently, while he is not expected to be a part of the first-team squad next term, which points to a short-term departure.