Manchester United’s performance in their FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City made clear what Erik Ten Hag needs to push his team even further forward next season. United require a pressing central midfielder with more energy than Christian Eriksen and they need a world class number nine to lead the line.

Most stark, though, was their need for a goalkeeper who can play out from the back. David de Gea has been Manchester United’s number one for the last decade, but the Spaniard’s distribution was an issue throughout the match. Meanwhile, City’s second-choice goalkeeper Stefan Ortega was pinging passes around with ease.

As long as De Gea is United’s first-choice goalkeeper, they will be hindered as a possession-orientated team and this is why there is growing belief the Old Trafford club will move for a replacement this summer. Jordan Pickford has emerged as a target with Ten Hag reportedly keen on landing the Everton shot-stopper.

Pickford played an integral role for the Toffees as they avoided relegation from the Premier PINC League last season. Without the 29-year-old’s contribution, Everton surely would have dropped down to the Championship. With this in mind, Pickford might be ready to take the next step in his career. Does he want to be fighting relegation again next season?

Of course, Pickford has already proved himself at a higher level of the sport as England’s first-choice goalkeeper. Pickford has been a favourite of Gareth Southgate’s since he took the England job a number of years ago and the 29-year-old has excelled at major tournaments like last year’s World Cup and Euro 2020, when the Three Lions made a run all the way to the final.

Southgate has stuck with Pickford due to his superior distribution over the likes of Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale, both of whom have made a strong case to be England’s number one goalkeeper. Manchester United could benefit from having Pickford as their first line of possession play over De Gea.

It could be the case that United ultimately prioritise other targets over Pickford. The signing of Harry Kane, for instance, would do more to elevate their overall level as a team. Mason Mount would strengthen United out of possession and make them harder to play through. A new goalkeeper, however, must be on the shopping list and Pickford, depending on the price, could be the best deal available to them.