Breaking Down Where Manchester United Need to Strengthen Their Squad This Summer

Jose Mourinho's arrival has strengthened Manchester United in the place where strengthening was most needed: the dugout. Now, though, comes the task of reinforcing the Red Devils on the pitch—a task that will involve many more moving pieces.

Let's take a look at each area of United's squad and consider where it is most in need of patching up.

Goalkeeper

Assuming the status quo can be maintained, no additional work is needed here. In David De Gea, United's three-time player of the year, the Red Devils have one of the world's best goalkeepers.

Of course, he was on the verge of leaving at the end of the 2015 summer transfer window, and if he goes, he would need to be replaced. Sergio Romero is a fine second choice, but relying on him as No. 1 would be a mistake.

Verdict: No change needed for now.

Defence 

United's most urgent need at the beginning of the last transfer window was for a new, top-quality central defender. Former manager Louis van Gaal did not act on that need, preferring to opt for a partnership of Chris Smalling and Daley Blind. In the end, that may well have cost United Champions League qualification.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press/Associated Press

Received wisdom would sometimes seem to have it that United's defence performed well this season. They conceded just nine goals at home in the Premier League, the fewest of anyone in the division.

However, between De Gea's brilliance and the fact Van Gaal's side spent two-thirds of the campaign playing with two holding midfielders in the most defensive-minded, safety-first setup in living memory at Old Trafford, it is hard to give the centre-backs themselves too much credit.

They both had excellent periods of the season—Smalling in particular was a legitimate contender for "player of the first half of the season," should such an award exist.

But when they were threatened, when the system was a little more open, they looked a lot less impressive. Away from home, United conceded 26 goals, only scoring 22—negative goal difference on the road highlights the extent of the failings in the setup.

Centre-back errors were at the heart of losses to Swansea City, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Blind exceeded expectations, but relying on him as a first-choice centre-back for another season would be a serious error. Smalling's performances in the calendar year of 2015 were almost universally impressive, but he would ideally be the second-best defender in a partnership rather than the senior man.

And back-up options are limited. Phil Jones clearly cannot be relied upon given his injury record. Marcos Rojo has struggled to impress at full-back, though his centre-back performances in 2014/15 would suggest he could serve as useful cover.

Elsewhere, academy prospects such as RoShaun Williams would certainly have been considered cover under Van Gaal, but it seems unlikely Mourinho will rely on that option.

Therefore, improvements to the first XI and squad options are required at centre-back. At left-back, no such improvements are necessary. Luke Shaw is the obvious first choice and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson's new contract suggests he will be part of the picture.

At right-back, it is a little less clear. Matteo Darmian enjoyed a strong start to his United career but tailed off. It is tempting to pin some of that on Van Gaal, but even at his best, Darmian had a noticeable weakness that might affect his status in the squad.

Defensively solid, he lacked for attacking contribution.

Given Mourinho's historic preference for inverted wingers, the full-back's attacking contribution is key. Thus, it may be that improvements are needed here, although the new manager may feel there is a role for Timothy Fosu-Mensah or Guillermo Varela in the side.

Verdict: First-choice centre-back is a must. Possible back-up centre-back and alternative right-back option needed.

Midfield

With Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin arriving last summer, it seemed unlikely that central midfield would be a target for further improvement this summer.

Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini represent a lot of different options. Unfortunately, there are metaphorical question marks of various different sizes over each.

Herrera and Schneiderlin could probably do with a season-long benefit of the doubt given Van Gaal's somewhat peculiar selection policy where they are concerned. Schweinsteiger's fitness will need to improve for him to play a significant role. Carrick's contract may be renewed for a further season, but no announcement has yet come.

Fellaini is not a serious option in the centre of midfield.

As the season progressed, Wayne Rooney found himself among the candidates for a midfield role. It is not a particularly high bar, but that is just about where he had his best games in 2015/16.

It may be that given the issues elsewhere in the squad, Mourinho will roll the dice on his existing choices. However, United have been linked with Andre Gomes of Valencia, with SuperDeporte in Spain reporting they will confirm his signing this summer (h/t the Mirror).

Gomes made 23 of his starts in La Liga and European competition for Valencia in deep-lying midfield, though he has also played on the left and in a more advanced role on occasion, per WhoScored.com. 

He has to be the more attack-minded of any partnership he is in, and his arrival would perhaps cast doubt over the future of Herrera, who, in theory, could do a fine job in Mourinho's system.

Verdict: The jury is out on the balance of United's central midfield. If Schneiderlin and Herrera can benefit from the Mourinho factor, there may not even be a need to upgrade. A guaranteed star of the level of, say, Paul Pogba would be an obvious boon, but new squad players are probably not needed.

Attack

Between the possibility of improved performances from Memphis Depay and the outstanding contribution of Anthony Martial, the left wing is taken care of. Ashley Young remains in the squad as a back-up option. Adnan Januzaj and Andreas Pereira can also play there.

In the No. 10 role, United have a couple of options. The first is Rooney. Mourinho would likely value his energy and work rate in that position, but would he offer enough nuance, enough chance creation?

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Juan Mata would seem the natural fit, but Mourinho's history with Mata suggests not. Januzaj and Pereira are unproven, of course, and Jesse Lingard's time spent in the role would seem an example of Van Gaal's tinkering for tinkering's sake.

At No. 9, the existing squad offers the new manager three choices. Rooney is one, though he struggled for much of the time he played there for Van Gaal. He found some form in January but otherwise looked laboured and toothless.

Martial can play there and offer a lot. That would allow Memphis a role in the side on the left.

And, of course, Marcus Rashford has made an impressive start to his professional career, with his early performances earning him a call-up to Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016. Back-up exists in the form of Will Keane and James Wilson, but they are unproven understudies—the kind it is hard to see Mourinho gambling on.

"

The incredible rise of Marcus Rashford in just 3 months... https://t.co/9yBfT5XK5R

— Copa90 (@Copa90) June 1, 2016"

The right wing is a genuine problem area. Antonio Valencia has long since converted to full-back. Mata played far too many of his games under Van Gaal out of position in that spot.

Rashford produced a promising cameo there against Watford at Old Trafford, but he struggled with the defensive responsibilities involved against Liverpool at Anfield in the Europa League. Lingard made his breakthrough in the squad on the right, but his output has been limited, and Van Gaal switched him inside.

As with the left wing, Pereira and Januzaj are both options.

United have a lot of attacking choices, but other than the left wing, there are also a lot of questions. Rashford needs plenty of game time but also not to be overworked. Rooney needs a role in the side, but it is far from clear where that should be. If Mata leaves, who would fill the No. 10 berth—would Mourinho try Januzaj and/or Pereira?

Can Memphis improve on his disappointing first season? And who will play on the right? 

"

pic.twitter.com/VOEIzVCYji

— Matilde Mourinho (@MourinhoMatilde) May 30, 2016"

There is a lot for Mourinho to fix.

Verdict: New right-wing option and new No. 10—assuming Mata leaves—needed. Any new centre-forward has to rotate with Rashford unless the latter plays on the right.

Overall Verdict

Definite needs: first-choice centre-back, first-choice right-winger/right inside forward.

Nice to have: first-choice central midfielder, additional back-up centre-back, attack-minded right-back cover, experienced and proven centre-forward.