Foundation, foundation, foundation. Up there with philosophy, process and ‘as I am saying’ as words or phrases which have become part of the United lexicon since LvG took control.

There are some who feel LvG should be given the final season because he has built a foundation, and with a bit of tweaking, should be good to go. What foundation is there though?

GK

If recent reports are to be believed, the future of DDG rests on whether LvG stays or goes. If LvG stays, De Gea is off to Madrid and we will be left with either Romero or a new recruit in goal. Therefore, the foundation as far as this position goes is reportedly unstable.

DF

One of the successes of the season – the tightest defence in the league since Spurs carried out the controlled explosion of their season at Newcastle. Something strong to build on?

Debatable. The RB position is far from nailed down, with Darmian struggling for form and Valencia, who will be 31 next season, taking the slot. The LB will see Shaw return, who will need to re-integrate into the team after almost a year out. Smalling should retain his position, naturally, but we would expect to see Blind replaced by a natural CB. So we could be starting the season with a vastly different defence to the one that has played the majority of this season.

CM

Carrick is seemingly gone. Schweinsteiger’s legs have seemingly gone. Schneiderlin’s form and confidence has gone. Fellaini should be gone. LvG’s faith in Herrera has long gone. The midfield is a bit lost at sea. I don’t think it’s inconceivable we would need to completely revamp this part of the team, even with the suggestion of Rooney moving back, which seems to work well against minor teams, but not so much against CMs who know what they are doing.

The attacking options don’t fare better either. Consistency has eluded Memphis and Mata, and Lingard surely seems a stop gap. Could we bank on any of these being first team starters at the start of the season? I have strong doubts.

Forwards

Rooney has realised the jig is up, and Rashford threatens to consign him to the past hence his sudden change of heart to move into midfield. Rashford is, of course, a talent. As is Martial. So we have these two options up front, but it probably is the case they need another alongside to guide them through. Relying on Rashford for an entire season will likely prove misguided.

Reserves

But the youth, though? If we have a foundation, it’s there. Fosu-Mensah is now on the scenes, showing great potential if also showing he has a lot to learn. Borthwick-Jackson will prove solid back up at LB, providing he doesn’t want a loan move to ensure his progress isn’t stunted by Shaw’s return. Januazaj, Pereira, Blackett, Wilson, McNair all seem to be hanging on the periphery though and appear to be out of LvG’s plans.

Summary

If we look at the foundation of that team, it’s arguable that only one CB, the LW and S are nailed down, and Shaw should be at LB providing he returns as strongly. GK is under threat, RB needs resolving, we need a new CB, the CM needs an overhaul or vast improvement from those currently in, we need a new RW and a strong striker to work with Rashford.

So why trust all that to a manager there for one season, who has failed to show any reason for this trust within his first two years?