Thomas Tuchel’s dream Man United XI if he replaces Erik ten Hag and completes four summer transfers

Thomas Tuchel’s dream Man United XI if he replaces Erik ten Hag and completes four summer transfers

Manchester United could wind up with a new manager this summer, but they are likely to need to make a number of new signings regardless of who is in the dugout next term.

Even an FA Cup final victory might not be enough for Erik ten Hag to keep his position as Manchester United manager, with former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel looming large.

Ten Hag’s United got revenge on Manchester City on Saturday after losing the 2023 final to their rivals.

Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo were on target as the Red Devils won 2-1 at Wembley, securing European football in the process.

Their Dutch manager went on a planned holiday after the final, but might not be in a job all that long after he returns. Tuchel, who will leave Bayern Munich this summer, is said to remain confident of taking over at Old Trafford despite Saturday’s win.

If the German does end up taking over, he’ll have some gaps to plug in United’s squad. There will be decisions for part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to make – both in terms of ins and outs.

“If they don’t want me anymore I will go somewhere else to win trophies – because that’s what I have always done throughout my career,” Ten Hag said after winning at Wembley. “When I came here I said I had come to win trophies and we have now won two. That isn’t bad, is it?.

“This club hasn’t won many trophies over the last 10 years. INEOS have told me – but they don’t have to tell me every week. I am where I want to be. When I came here, United were in a mess.”

If Tuchel does come in, there will be an expectation to at least compete for trophies.

Here, Mirror Football looks at how United might find themselves lining up next term if the new boss comes in and gets to strengthen where United need to upgrade on their current group.

In goal, Andre Onana has recovered from a shaky start to show his worth under Ten Hag.

The Cameroonian and fellow ex-Ajax man Lisandro Martinez have been among the brighter sparks when it comes to the current manager’s recruitment, and both can be confident of keeping their spots under a new manager.

A partner for centre-back Martinez might be a priority, though, and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite appears to be favoured by Ratcliffe and INEOS.

The young Englishman has been tipped to leave Goodison Park this summer if a suitable offer arrives, having helped Sean Dyche’s team shake off points deductions to stay up with time to spare.

Luke Shaw’s injury issues have kept him from making much of an impact this term, but he’s the one of the full-back options who looks capable of adapting to another new boss.

On the opposite flank, a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong might be ambitious but the former Manchester City prospect could help replicate the attacking threat from full-back which Alphonso Davies has shown on the opposite flank for Tuchel’s Bayern this season.

Midfield
The big ‘if’ for Manchester United this summer concerns the future of Bruno Fernandes. The club captain has been the subject of reported interest from Saudi Arabia, and his demands for the club to match his ambitions further added to speculation over his future.

In a dream scenario, United would surely hang on to a man who has been central to some of the club’s best recent moments.

The same can’t be said of Casemiro, who looks to have less of a future at Old Trafford after an extremely tough second season.

That leaves a gap alongside Kobbie Mainoo, who has shown his importance to the team despite his tender age. Brazil and Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who has been on United’s radar for a while, could be that man.

Attack
A dream Manchester United XI in a 4-3-3 formation
How Manchester United might line up under Thomas Tuchel