Manchester United will consider life beyond Erik Ten Hag as the Red Devils plot their summer transfer targets.
The intention for the next window is to make sure any signing fits an overall vision of the club that makes them manager-proof.
That is not to say Ten Hag will not be at United beyond this season, but that players will not specifically be bought for him and the current system.
There is a feeling around United that one problem of the past decade has been signing a specific type of player to suit a boss or style of play and that when that manager has left, they have been left with layers of players that do not fit into the next scenario.
United will try to avoid this when they reshape the squad at the end of this season and the likes of Raphael Varane, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony and Jadon Sancho are among the high-profile names with an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
There are intentions to upgrade the squad depending on how many players move on. Chelsea’s disastrous attempt at long-term squad planning with their £1 billion spend on players of the future is a warning sign over how such overhauls can go wrong.
But United will aim to strike a balance between impressive upcoming stars and players already established in the game.
There is an acceptance United can not currently sign the biggest names in the game like they once could. But as INEOS get their feet under the table there are already considerations about making sure the future is brighter than it has looked recently.
Ten Hag is being given time to create a positive finish to the campaign and can expect a performance review at the end of the season.
He is not immediately under threat but if the season does not end well it is understood his job security will be in doubt.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
