Manchester United co-owners INEOS have a mammoth task to complete this summer.
It is no secret that United are looking at multiple midfielders this summer.
Rebuilding the midfield has emerged as one of their biggest priorities ahead of the new season.
Casemiro will officially leave Old Trafford at the end of this month, while plans to sell Manuel Ugarte have been thrown out the window after the Uruguayan suffered a serious ligament injury against Spain.
Ugarte is expected to be ruled out for close to a year, leaving Kobbie Mainoo as the only recognised senior central midfielder in the squad.
Any injury or suspension to Mainoo would instantly leave United head coach Michael Carrick with a major selection crisis.
The 21-year-old is currently representing England at the World Cup, although manager Thomas Tuchel has yet to hand him a single minute of action.
The Red Devils reached an agreement with Atalanta to sign Ederson but the transfer is not expected to be completed until after the World Cup.
Even with Ederson arriving, INEOS still need at least two more midfield additions.
The academy boasts exciting talents in Jim Thwaites, Jacob Devaney and Tyler Fletcher, all of whom possess the potential to reach the first team.
However, the club cannot allow them to carry such a burden on their young shoulders.
If Mainoo were unavailable, Carrick could find himself scrambling simply to put together a balanced starting XI.
Mateus Fernandes is high on their transfer shortlist but West Ham United want £80 million to sanction his exit.
Carlos Baleba, Alex Scott, Aurelien Tchouameni and Felix Nmecha also remain under serious consideration.
The decisions INEOS make over the coming weeks could ultimately define United’s ambitions and success next season.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
