Manchester United have not yet assembled their senior squad despite having already played their first game of the upcoming 2022–23 season.

The Red Devils, managed by Dutchman Erik ten Hag, fell to Brighton and Hove Albion 2-1 in their league debut.

Graham Potter's Seagulls exposed the team's lack of cohesion even though there was renewed optimism that United, having made three new summer signings, could get off to a flying start.

Although they have issues across most of the field, the defensive midfield of the 20-time league champion is without a doubt their weakest position.

After Sunday's dismal performance and loss, in which Scott and Fred McTominay started in their usual positions of six and eight, ten Hag has moved quickly to return to the transfer market in search of at least one new midfield addition.

Adrien Rabiot, a midfielder for Juventus, is a top contender to leave Turin and move to Manchester (The Athletic), but Sergej Milinkovic-Savic of Lazio has also recently emerged as a top target (Telegraph).