In contrast to many of their Premier League rivals, it’s been a slow start to the summer for Manchester United who have yet to announce any new arrivals at Old Trafford.
That’s expected to change soon though with the club’s hierarchy ready to heavily back new manager Erik ten Hag in the market as the Dutchman looks to begin the process of rebuilding the United squad.
Inevitably a number of top players have been linked in recent months, though some have already been snapped up by competitors, with Liverpool's capture of Benfica’s Darwin Nunez being the most obvious recent setback.
Ten Hag’s task has been made that bit tougher by United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League last season, though it’s hoped a strong summer can set the team up to compete for and secure a Champions League position again next season.
With such an important few months ahead for the Reds, Mirror Football takes a look at what a best-case scenario for United could look like- and conversely, what could be the worst.
Best-case scenario
Bringing in at least one world-class midfielder has been a priority for Man United for some time. Ideal midfielder profiles such as Eduardo Camavinga, Yves Bissouma and Aurelien Tchouameni have been identified as targets in the past 12 months, though each have opted for moves to other clubs playing in the Champions League instead.
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Barcelona ’s Frenkie De Jong looks now to be United’s number one target, and the relationship he shares with Ten Hag does put the Reds in pole position to land his signature. The 25-year-old is an excellent technician and has everything required to be a key contributor in United’s build-up play next season.
A new attacker also ranks highly on Ten Hag’s wishlist, and it seems possible that he will again turn to one of his former stars, Ajax’s Antony, to fill the void. Despite being hampered by injuries, the Brazilian registered 18 goal contributions last season and has made no secret of his admiration for Ten Hag in the past.
"Every player under his guidance becomes a better footballer through his training," Antony told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "Since my arrival, he has given me a lot of confidence and believed in what I can do. I am grateful to him for that. I respect him very much."
Beyond improvements both in midfield and attack, Ten Hag will also be after at least one new central defender. Each of Jurrien Timber and Pau Torres have been linked, and either would almost certainly prove to be a significant upgrade on what United already have.
Worst case scenario
United’s interest in but failure to land a number of big stars in more recent years has highlighted an uncomfortable truth - they’re not the draw they once were. That’s a problem only enhanced by the fact they don’t have Champions League football to offer next season
Almost all of the targets United are chasing already play for top European clubs competing in the Champions League, therefore persuading them to make what could be perceived as an initial backwards step won’t be easy.
To miss out on De Jong, in particular, would be a huge blow. There’s a fair case to be made that the club would struggle to attract a player of his quality and potential if it wasn’t for Ten Hag’s existing relationship with the 25-year-old. However, if that association between the two doesn’t prove enough to seal a deal, then it’s hard to see who United pursue instead.
Additionally, Ten Hag is inheriting a greatly diminished first-team squad. The lack of all-round quality throughout the team is made worse by the departure of several players such as Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Edinson Cavani and Juan Mata.
There are likely to be further cuts made to the team too, with the club willing to listen to offers for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Phil Jones, Anthony Martial and Eric Bailly. This mass exodus can prove to be a positive for the Reds, providing they recruit the right sort of replacements.
As is clear though, that’s no easy task and a failure to get it right this summer could have damaging ramifications for the campaign ahead and United’s long-term ambitions to close the gap on those sides ahead of them.
