Manchester United will head into the 2019/20 Premier League season eager to prove they remain a force to be reckoned with in England.

United finished sixth last season, 32 points behind champions Manchester City after a hugely disappointing campaign.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already set about reshaping his squad, but he still has plenty of work to do ahead of the season opener against Chelsea. Read on as we assess the latest state of play at Old Trafford.

Pre-season offers a chance to impress

United’s six-game pre-season schedule takes on added significance this summer given the team’s shortcomings during the last campaign.

When a club has a global appeal the size of United’s, it is fair to say that finishing 32 points off top spot in the league is simply unacceptable.

The Red Devils will play matches in Oceania and Asia, before returning to Europe to put the finishing touches to their preparations for the upcoming campaign.

United’s big contingent of Irish fans are expected to be out in force for the club’s only game in the UK as they take on AC Milan at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff on August 3.

Along with the rest of the fanbase, they will be desperate to see the players prove that they can challenge for honours next season.

Solksjaer must resolve Pogba conundrum

The signings of Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are a promising start, but more new arrivals are needed if United are to be successful.

The club has been linked to a plethora of players this summer as Solskjaer strives to add the quality needed to fire the club back into the title reckoning.

However, the manager’s most important task over the next few weeks will be to resolve the Paul Pogba situation.

The midfielder has made it clear that he wants to leave Old Trafford and there are not many fans who would be sorry to see him go.

Dubbed a ‘virus’ by former boss Jose Mourinho, the United dressing room would benefit from being rid of the Frenchman.

Long-term thinking needed

Seeing City and Liverpool finish over 30 points in front of their team must be soul-destroying for United’s loyal supporters.

Most fans are realistic enough to know that the gap won’t be closed overnight, but they will expect the club to show that it has a long-term plan to achieve that aim.

United’s identity has been gradually eroded since Sir Alex Ferguson’s era and it will take time to reach those heady heights once again.

Solskjaer appears to have a clear idea of what he wants, but it remains to be seen whether the owners will back his vision.

The next few weeks are crucial to United’s hopes of returning to the top of the Premier League and will show whether the club is serious about doing that.