3 positions Manchester United need to strengthen

Manchester United made their second signing of the summer this week, bringing in Brazilian midfielder Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk for a reported fee of £47m. This follows the acquisition of 19-year-old right back Diogo Dalot, who moved to Old Trafford via Porto in a £19m deal at the beginning of June.

While you can quibble about the amount of money the Red Devils have spent, there's no doubting their ambition. The transfer window hasn't even formally opened yet, and they've already addressed two problem areas in their squad.

They now have both a backup option for the ageing Antonio Valencia and someone who can help share the attacking load with Paul Pogba in he middle of the park.

Despite this, Mourinho's team still doesn't feel quite ready to overturn the massive gulf in class that we saw between them and neighbours Manchester City last season. It doesn't need a major makeover, of course, but considering how strong Pep's boys have been over the preceding 12 months, a further two or three transfers are surely needed to prevent another one-horse race.

Here are the specific positions they still need to strengthen.

#3 Left back

By now it's pretty much an open secret that Jose Mourinho doesn't rate 22-year-old Englishman Luke Shaw particularly highly. He only started a handful of games last season, and almost every time he did his performances were met with fierce (and, at times, unfair) criticism from the United boss.

Since the Red Devils' remaining options to fill the left-back slot are Marcos Rojo - who has always appeared more comfortable in the centre of defence - and converted winger Ashley Young, it seems inevitable that they will look to bring in another one this summer.

As for who it could be, several names could fit the bill. The most promising of them is perhaps Juventus man Alex Sandro, although his enormous price-tag could prove an obstacle. One alternative is Tottenham's Danny Rose, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for more than a year now.

#2 Winger

Martial's time at United seems to have run out

On paper, United's squad looks pretty stacked at the top end of the pitch. In addition to the big money signings from last season in the shape of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, Mourinho also has at his disposal promising youngsters Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

However, this perhaps paints a false picture of their depth. The truth is that the Red Devils boss appears to have noticeably little faith in either Martial or Rashford. His side, in turn, have become over-reliant on Lukaku, leaving them short of goals whenever he has an off day.

It was said last summer that United were close to a move for Inter's Ivan Perisic, who would be the ideal signing this time around. He may not have youth on his side, but he has an end product that none of the current crop of wingers at Old Trafford can match.

#1 Centre back

Jones has been susceptible to the odd error

Chris Smalling and Phil Jones did a serviceable job at the tail-end of last season, but their deficiencies were laid bare in the FA Cup final against Chelsea, when Jones allowed Eden Hazard to run beyond him before giving away a costly penalty.

United's other centre-back options - Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo and Victor Lindelof - aren't exactly bad, but the former two seem to have serious fitness issues, whilst the latter struggled to win round his new boss after a big money move from Benfica last summer.

When you look at Premier League winners over the last 10 years, virtually all of them were equipped with at least one world-class centre back. If the Red Devils are serious about mounting a proper title challenge this year, they desperately need to sign one of their own.