According to one of their sources, United chiefs recognise they are far behind Liverpool and City in the right-back position.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James are deadly in the final third, putting in perfect crosses for their team-mates. City can rely on Joao Cancelo to do that on the left side, while right-back Kyle Walker uses his pace to break up opposition attacks.

The source said: “United are a long way off in that department. Wan-Bissaka isn’t really ideal for that attacking role.”

While Wan-Bissaka has ‘made some improvements to his attacking’, club coaches recognise ‘his numbers don’t stack up anywhere near’ Alexander-Arnold or James, the source says.

As a result, United plan to replace the 24-year-old at the end of the season. This could involve giving Diogo Dalot a more prominent role.

Rangnick likes the Portuguese and has given him plenty of chances to impress this campaign.

More likely, though, the strategy will see a big name arrive at Old Trafford for a significant transfer fee. However, no potential targets have been revealed as of yet.