What should happen is that we should have a top 23-man squad with at least 15 top players. The current team's profile includes a lot of youth, as well as some older legs that may need to be replaced based on their performance this season.
I would let get of the below:
Lindelof, Varane, Martial, Amrabat, Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony, AWB, Evans, Shoretire, Forson, Greenwood, Sancho, Hannibal, VDB and Brandon Williams.
I would keep the controversial squad picks of Maguire, Mctominay and Rashford.
- Maguire: He's been good this season, and while not being the finest centre defender in the world, he still has a lot of quality. I wouldn't consider him a certain starter, but he is a better player and leader than Lindelof. This season has once again demonstrated how devastating injuries can be to a team. It only makes sense to have a player who is committed to the cause, has a relatively low injury rate, and possesses a fair level of quality. He would be the third or fourth choice for that position.
- Mctominay: If there were alternatives, I would sell Mctominay. I don't believe he's good enough. However, there is no way in which we could recruit more than two midfielders, unless one is available for free. Mainoo has made tremendous progress and would be an excellent fit in the rotation role that Mctominay filled for much of the season. He has plenty of energy and is highly adaptable. The objective is to keep him until the next available window to sell or when a new youth prospect demonstrates that they can fill his role.
- Rashford: He's a solid player with a level of skill that none of our other attackers can consistently display right now. That is within Rashford's capabilities. He has shown it previously. We have too many young players in our attack, and Rashford would be one of the more experienced players in that area of the field. More than anyone else aside from Bruno, he would deserve another chance under a better manager.
The squad I would have would look something like the below:
Onana, Balyindir, Heaton, Maguire, Licha, Kambwala, New CB, New CB (Tosin), Dalot, Shaw, Malacia, New CM, New DM, Mainoo, Mctominiay, Bruno, Mount, Garnacho, Rashford, Amad, New Winger, Hojlund, New Striker.
- Two new centre backs are required, one as a backup and the other to start alongside Licha. Furthermore, this may be the season when we begin to transition Shaw into a centre back. In that situation, we may potentially sign a left back rather than one of the CBs.
- Two new midfielders are needed. Mainoo may grow, but I don't want to go into a season relying just on him. If he improves much more, he could be a guaranteed starter, but we shouldn't go into the season expecting him to start. We clearly need to replace Casemiro as well.
- New Winger - Our wingers are currently of subpar calibre. We must maintain consistent and effective offensive quality. We shouldn't go into next season with one of Garnacho or Amad starting. Even if both do step up a level, it would be risky not to have the depth available.
- New striker - The best move would be to sign a striker that can play across the frontline. Hojlund shouldn't have to handle the scoring load alone. He needs competition and rotation.
This would be 6 new signings. One of which could occur on a free ( CB) or if Willy Kambwala proves to have the capacity to step up, may not be required. In terms of quality that would lift our squad, I think we should invest heavily on one midfielder, one centre back and a winger.