Manchester United have just finished trophyless in what has been another uninspiring season at Old Trafford.
The reality that the club may take a very long time to get anywhere close to the glory years of Sir Alex Ferguson is starting to hit home, and it seems Jose Mourinho will react by spending big.
MORE: Manchester United have one major doubt about sealing £53million transfer
The Daily Mirror have reported that the United boss could look to spend as much as £250million on new players, and it seems that defence is a priority.
Given that United have already strengthened with attacking players like Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku in recent transfer windows, this seems a sensible strategy.
Manchester City recruited as many as three full-backs alone last summer, adding a centre-back in Aymeric Laporte in January.
It’s vital to build strong foundations upon which your attacking stars can shine, to take the heat off the likes of Pogba and Sanchez to have to work their magic over and over again in each game.
According to recent reports, here’s a look at three defenders United are targeting that could be ideal to boost their title hopes for next season:
Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham)
According to the Manchester Evening News, United are working on a deal to sign Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld for £55million.
This looks a superb potential signing given the Red Devils’ current woes in central defence, with Phil Jones badly exposed in the FA Cup final and Chris Smalling not having the best campaign either.
Alderweireld, meanwhile, has been rock-solid for Spurs in recent seasons, helping turn Mauricio Pochettino’s team into one of the hardest to beat in the Premier League.
One can only wonder how much better he could be at a bigger club and working under a defensive maestro in Mourinho.
Alex Sandro (Juventus)
Looking set to join United for around £44m, Juventus left-back Alex Sandro would be another excellent signing to improve a problem position for Mourinho’s side.
La Stampa have reported of United’s pursuit of the Brazil international (with translation from Football Italia), and this should be one to excited United fans.
With Luke Shaw struggling and Ashley Young not much of a replacement, Sandro would genuinely give the club one of the best players in the world in that position.
City have shown with the success of signings like Kyle Walker just how important top full-backs are, so this looks an essential addition for United if they are to close the gap on their rivals next season.
Alvaro Odriozola (Real Sociedad)
Finally, the Daily Mail have also linked United with an interest in £18m-rated Real Sociedad right-back Alvaro Odriozola, who has just celebrated a call-up to the Spain squad for the World Cup.
The 22-year-old looks one of the brightest prospects in Europe in his position and would be ideal as a long-term replacement for Antonio Valencia, who, like Young on the left, is not a natural full-back even if he’s performed admirably in the role.
If United could keep Eric Bailly fit and line up with a back five of David de Gea in goal, Odriozola and Sandro as full-backs, and Bailly partnering Alderweireld in the centre, that would surely be as good as any defence in Europe at the moment.
With De Gea arguably the best goalkeeper in the world right now and Alderweireld consistently one of the top three centre-backs in the Premier League in recent years, United would surely be a different kind of force to be reckoned with next season.