5 Positions Manchester United should strengthen in the summer

Manchester United started the season in a brilliant form where they went on with a 12 game winning streak before being stunned by Huddersfield Town. The Red Devils are 16 points off their noisy neighbors, Manchester City and the Premier League title race looks to be settled with 11 games to go.

Even with the signing of Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic & Victor Lindelof in the summer, Manchester United still find themselves lagging behind their city rivals, therefore, they need proper reinforcement in the following positions to mount a serious challenge next season. Here are 5 positions they absolutely have to focus on:

#5. Right back

United skipper Valencia is getting older

Manchester United need to sign a natural right back in the summer to take over from the current mainstay right-back Antonio Valencia. The Ecuador international has been in impressive form since been converted to a defender at Old Trafford chipping in with goals and assists for the team.

However, the former Wigan man is getting old and is nearing an end to his illustrious playing career where has won 2 premier league titles, 2 EFL cups, 1 Europa League and 1 FA Cup. Valencia is 32 years old and therefore Man United need to have a tailor-made replacement for the veteran.

The signing of a new young right back will inject more pace on Manchester United play therefore creating more chances and solidifying the defense at the same time. Matteo Darmian has failed since arriving at Old Trafford from Torino and Manchester United will be looking to offload the Italian to in the summer to create room for a new right back

Potential targets: Kieran Trippier, Djibril Sidibe, Thomas Meunier

#4. Central defence

Defence has been a sore point for United

Even though Manchester United boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season where the Red Devils have only conceded 19 goals in 27 matches, the English giants have lost valuable points due to defensive errors.

Chris Smalling, Phil Jones & Victor Lindelof have all been guilty of defensive errors that have led to Manchester United losing grip on title race this season. In order to mount a serious challenge next season, a new central defender is needed at Old Trafford.

Arrival of a new centre-back will inject competition into the team as the current crop of defenders at Man United will have to raise their game while fighting for the two starting slots. This will bring the best out of the current central defenders and ultimately lead them to glory.

Potential targets: Rapahel Varane, Toby Alderweireld, Marquinhos

#3. Left back

Shaw looks reliable but is injury-prone

Manchester United need to sign another left back to offer competition to Luke Shaw. The young English defender arrived from Southampton with a big reputation as one of the most promising youngsters in the division. The £30 million price tag might have been too heavy for an 18 year old and replicating the scintillating form that earned him the big money move to Manchester United as expected was going to be difficult.

Shaw's first season at Manchester United was plagued with injuries and the young English defender was down the pecking order in Jose Mourihno's first season at Manchester United. However, Luke Shaw has gained the trust of the Portuguese and is currently the first choice left back at Old Trafford and is in line for a new deal as his current contract expires in the summer.

Shaw is being deputized by Ashley Young, who is 32 years old and cannot be considered a long-term solution for Manchester United. The signing of a new left back will provide proper cover for Luke Shaw in case of an injury or fatigue due to many games in a season.

#2. Central Midfield

Pogba has been off-colour the last few games

Manchester United's lack of goals is attributed to their static midfield. The Red Devils have scored 51 goals in 27 league matches representing a goal ratio of just 1.9 goals per match. Manchester United have scored fewer goals than third place Liverpool and fifth place Tottenham who have scored 61 and 52 goals respectively.

They have scored the same number of goals as sixth place Arsenal. For the Red Devils to mount a serious challenge next season, they need to beef up their central midfield to inject creativity in their game.

A new central midfielder will get the best out of Paul Pogba and improve the Manchester United side. The Frenchman flourished at Juventus alongside midfield maestros like Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. With Paul Pogba in top form, Manchester United 's creativity in the final third will increase leading to many more goals.

Potential targets: Marco Verrati, Casemiro, Maxi Lopez

#1. The Playmaker

Juan Mata has failed to replicate his Chelsea form at Man United

Manchester United need to sign a natural central attacking midfielder to link midfield and attack to increase their attacking threat. The Red Devils signed Juan Mata from Chelsea as a central attacking midfielder before being converted to a winger at Old Trafford. Jesse Lingard has been preferred to play as a number ten behind a lone striker and the English man has had an impressive run chipping in with crucial goals and assists for the team.

However, Lingard is not a natural no.10 and is not well suited to play as a CAM for Manchester United if they are to mount a serious title challenge. The signature of a tailor-made central attacking midfielder will improve United's attacking threat, a player who will open opposition defences with clever passes and movements to create scoring chances for the team.

Flanked by Alexis Sanchez on the left wing and either Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford on the right wing, a new central attacking midfielder will make Manchester United one of the scariest in the division and an attacking force to reckon with. A dangerous attack is what Manchester United need to dethrone Man City as the kings of Manchester and England.

Potential targets: Paulo Dybala, James Rodriguez, Isco