Manchester United's lack of midfield depth has been there for all to see this season, with the failure to sign at least one midfielder last summer looking more detrimental week by week.

Despite looking back to his best under Michael Carrick, Casemiro has called an end to his Manchester United career, bringing to a close four years in Manchester. Even if the unlikely rumours that the Brazilian could make a U-turn on his decision come to fruition, quality backup options are still essential for the side to push on next summer.

Manuel Ugarte is also expected to be moved on in the summer after failing to adapt to the demands of the Premier League, despite working under Rúben Amorim, with whom he thrived at Sporting Lisbon.

While INEOS are likely to target midfielders with Premier League experience, as seen by the links to players such as Adam Wharton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães, one player who has been linked to United in the past has come back on the radar going into the summer window.

Apart from Kobbie Mainoo, who has cemented himself in the Manchester United midfield after seeing himself be frozen out under Amorim, United could part ways with the likes of Casemiro, Ugarte and Bruno Fernandes, with links to Saudi Arabia persisting.

Manchester United are expected to sign at least two new midfielders in the summer, and with it being most likely that the club will only be able to spend big on one marquee midfield signing, the club will have to conduct some shrewd business to add much-needed depth in the middle of the side.

Having been linked with him for the past two seasons, Atalanta midfielder Ederson has once again emerged as a potential option for United's midfield summer rebuild, with it being confirmed that the Brazilian has no interest in extending his contract, which runs until 2027.

Atalanta will not want to let such a key player leave on a free, meaning this summer is one of the last chances they will have to make a profit on the £20 million they spent on the 26-year-old.

As reported by Sport Witness, Atletico Madrid are the clear frontrunners for Ederson's signature, with the outlet reporting that a verbal agreement for a move has been reached.

With Atletico Madrid's opening offer of £30.5m, plus £4m in bonuses, falling short of Atalanta's £43.5 million asking price, Manchester United and Arsenal remain in the race for Ederson's signature, whose head could be turned by a potential Premier League move.

The importance of the upcoming summer transfer window for Manchester United cannot be understated for the future of the club.

Before last season's successful transfer business, United's history of transfer had been poor to say the least, spending inflated fees on players who ultimately failed in Manchester, and the club are now set for another big summer clearout as the squad's transformation continues under INEOS.

They could also find themselves losing the club's captain, Bruno Fernandes, with rumours persisting after the Portuguese maestro turned down a move last summer.

Players aside, United have a major choice to make when it comes to who they believe is the right head coach to lead the side into the future.

Despite insisting that Rúben Amorim was the right man for the job, INEOS ultimately had to cut their losses on the man they had heavily backed, and with Michael Carrick working wonders since coming in in January, they have a major selection headache on their hands ahead of a likely Champions League campaign next season.