Manchester United’s are anticipated to strengthen the squad further in the summer with Champions League football hopefully on the table with at least two positions needing attention

Manchester United’s plans for the summer transfer window are gradually being put in place with another million-pound outlay anticipated. Over £200million was spent on new arrivals last summer, with all four signings paying off already.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo arrived on the back of fine individual seasons in the Premier League, while United won the race to land striker Benjamin Sesko. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens came in to replace Andre Onana and has earned plenty of plaudits.

Following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, United are no longer actively looking for players to fit the rigid 3-4-2-1 formation. Under Michael Carrick, the 4-2-3-1 has returned and the results have returned.

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Under the former midfielder, United have been in top form to move up to third in the Premier League table. Champions League football is within touching distance, meaning the hierarchy at Old Trafford have the difficult task in building a squad good enough to compete.

A new midfielder is the priority, for a number of reasons. Currently, United have three central midfielders for two positions. Kobbie Mainoo’s return has partnered Casemiro’s best season for the club, with Manuel Ugarte used as back-up.

Casemiro’s departure at the end of the season means a new No.6 will be the priority for United in the summer. The number of midfielders linked with replacing the Brazilian has increased, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joao Gomes, Sandro Tonali and Mamadou Sangare joining long-term targets Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

Anderson and Wharton are all understood to be valued close to £100million, meaning United face the possibility of breaking the bank to replace Casemiro. However, they also face paying a premium to sign a new left winger.

Matheus Cunha and Amad have both made an impact on the left of Carrick’s attack in the last two months, with Patrick Dorgu also impressing before his hamstring injury. However, Cunha prefers playing more centrally and Amad is better on the right.

RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who is impressing in the Bundesliga, is being monitored by United. Reports have also linked Karim Adeyemi, Mateus Mane, Anthony Gordon and Christian Pulisic signing to add further quality out wide.

It’s a position that is lacking a natural, prolific forward player and Carrick has admitted that the club could look to bring someone in at the end of the season. “Yeah, quite possibly in certain ways,” he said.

“But I think we can still be dangerous and I still think we can fill that spot. I think we’ve got players to be able to do it. It’s not a huge concern at the moment.

“We always want to improve and we’re always thinking of that perfect scenario of mixing players together and connections and how it suits on the pitch, but Matheus has played that role and caused some problems and caused big problems and had big moments from that playing wide or inside so he’s doing well as well.”

Any other positions, including a new left-back, are expected to be under consideration, though not a priority. What is becoming clear is that United are pushing to sign at least two players.