£25m goalkeeper signed as £43m ace joins with Rayan Cherki in Man Utd starting XI next season if rumours true

Manchester United must strengthen their squad this summer if they are to put what is set to be their worst-ever Premier League season behind them.

Sunday’s 4-1 loss at the hands of Newcastle United meant the Red Devils will finish the season with their lowest-ever points total in the Premier League era. They are also set to finish below eighth - which was their previous worst finish, as they finished in that pot under Erik ten Hag last term.

A new striker is a priority for United in the summer while a forward who can play in behind a number nine is also being eyed. The Red Devils goalkeeping situation has come to the fore in recent weeks after two mistakes from Andre Onana in last week’s 2-2 draw at Lyon. He was dropped for the visit to Newcastle but replacement Altay Bayındır made an error at St James’ Park for the hosts’ final goal.

Roy Keane stated his belief after the game that Ruben Amorim will have been ‘shocked at how bad this group of players are’ with changes to the squad planned for the summer. As the rumours continue to swirl, we look at how United could line-up next campaign based on the latest transfer stories.

New goalkeeper signed

Fresh reports have linked United with a surprise move for Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. The Saints have already been relegated from the Premier League and could set the record for worst-ever points total in the competition’s history. They have 10 points from 32 games and need one more to match Derby County’s record of 11 and two more to beat it.

Ramsdale joined Southampton in a deal worth £25m last summer but has not been able to help the club beat relegation with the south coast outfit conceding 77 goals in 32 games. Ramsdale is a Premier League level goalkeeper and is likely to have interest from a number of clubs. The Saints are likely to demand at least £25m to make their money back before they part ways with him after he penned a four-year deal last summer, which also included the option of another year in the club’s favour.

He would be an ideal signing for United, however, who are considering bolstering their goalkeeping department.

Two new forwards added

Lyon star Rayan Cherki has been linked with United in recent days as the forward is available for around £20m in the summer. This is due to him having one year left on his deal in France and due to his current club’s financial situation. They have been provisionally relegated to Ligue 2 due to debts of around £450m and will need to sell players and cut their wage bill in the summer to avoid their relegation being ratified.

United are looking at Liam Delap as their top striker target but the Ipswich Town man is attracting interest from across the Premier League. Given that Delap could choose to go elsewhere, the Red Devils have alternatives - one of which is Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović. The Turin club want around £43m to part ways with the Serbian who could leave the Old Lady due to his high wages. He was not fancied by former manager Thiago Motta but new boss Igor Tudor appears more keen on keeping the player. The £43m asking price is more affordable to United compared to other targets such as Victor Osimhen and Viktor Gyökeres.

Man Utd starting XI next season if latest rumours are true: Ramsdale, Dorgu, Maguire, Yoro, De Ligt, Mazraoui, Mainoo, Fernandes, Amad Diallo, Cherki, Vlahovic.