Erik ten Hag is hinting at what he wants in the transfer window if he stays at Manchester United

Under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United have set a club record for spending in a summer transfer window, signed more players in a summer than any other and spent more than under any manager.

But another rebuild is required before Ten Hag's squad rebuild has been completed. Whether Ten Hag oversees that is yet to be clarified.

United's receptiveness to offers for the majority of their squad members is not a ringing endorsement for the manager. 11 current players arrived on Ten Hag's watch.

Three significant signings have been targeted, with two centre backs wanted. In a season where United have recorded 62 separate cases of injury and illness that have caused a player to miss a match, Ten Hag wants a deeper squad.

"Yes, that is one of the issues in constructing the squad," he admitted, "where we have to improve, to do things better to construct a squad where we have more depth.

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"I think the most important thing is to return players and to get them back. In many positions we created depth and now in some positions we don’t have choices.

"For instance, the left back position. (Luke) Shaw only 15 starts this season so far and (Tyrell) Malacia zero starts. Not even available."

Malacia, unavailable all season after two rounds of knee surgery, was supposed to return in January. The 24-year-old played 39 times last term and was the only player named in all 62 of United's matchday squads but he is not assured of remaining at United next season.

"Left back depends on availability from Luke Shaw," Ten Hag stressed. "He will be fit. He is returning already on the pitch, we expect him back in coming