Football journalist Daniel Harris joined Monday's OTB AM to discuss Manchester United's season and the areas they should look to strengthen in the upcoming transfer window.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s team won 2-0 at Leicester City on the final day of the season to secure a third-placed finish and qualification for next season's Champions League. This result completed a remarkable turnaround as on the January 30th, United were 14 points off Leicester who sat in third.
Harris thinks United are in a "pretty good place" but acknowledged that they still have a lot of work to do.
Some of this work needs to be done in the transfer market and Harris set out the positions he would prioritise.
A centre-back to replace Victor Lindelof is needed, according to Harris.
"Lindelof played really well yesterday but he is not the standard of a United centre-back," he said.
The 26-year-old Swede has been a mainstay in the United team this season, starting 35 matches in the Premier League. But, Harris thinks United need to find a new partner for Harry Maguire at the heart of their defence.
Harris also said a replacement for Nemanja Matic should be a priority.
"Watching United over the last few weeks that would be my priority. If you press United, if you press Matic and the defenders then they struggle to get the ball out," he said.
Harris described what he's looking for from someone playing in that role.
"To play that position, the main thing that you need to be able to do is to pass the ball forward quickly and ideally off both feet. You also need to be able to do that under pressure," he said.
"That’s why Sergio Busquets was the greatest player for playing that position because he could do those things. He could find a yard and pass the ball forward quickly. Paul Scholes could do it as well."
Declan Rice is a player who has been heavily linked to Manchester United and plays in that deep-lying midfield role.
Harris has been impressed with Rice in recent months.
"I'm not certain that Rice could do it but I certainly think it’s more possible than I did a few months ago," he said.
United's forward players have impressed since the resumption of football but more depth may be needed, especially with the Champions League next season.
A move for Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho has been talked about in recent weeks.
"I've seen Jadon Sancho play a few times. I've never seen him play and thought this is a brilliant player," Harris said.
"But, people who have seen him (Sancho) much more than me say that if you get the opportunity to sign him, you just have to do it.
"We saw in the last few weeks that there was no alternative outside the front three so another player in those positions is essential."
A goalkeeper was not on Harris' list of priorities as he feels United and David de Gea are "stuck with each other".
"I can’t see anyway they could shift him and his salary," he said.
"We know that he is good at goalkeeping, it’s a mental thing. They have to find a way between them of making that better.
"I wouldn’t go and bust half of my transfer budget for the summer on a goalkeeper when I have de Gea."
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