Manchester United have continually lost out to RB Leipzig in the transfer market this summer as the German side continue to bolster their ranks and retain their top stars.
The Red Devils have endured a frustrating few months of recruitment as they struggle to get deals over the line. Several of Erik ten Hag's targets have not been signed for various reasons despite there being a huge need to overhaul the squad at Old Trafford.
Former interim boss Ralf Rangnick quickly clocked that new faces needed to arrive in Manchester and, as he prepared for his consultancy role, made several suggestions to the club's board. These included three Leipzig players - who all remain at the Bundesliga club.
Leipzig sealed a move for Timo Werner this week with the striker returning to the club where he first made his name. The German was unable to produce at Chelsea and, after two seasons, has been allowed to leave in a £25m deal. United though made a late play to hijack the deal, but were unsuccessful according to the MEN.
United are looking for new options in attack with the future of Cristiano Ronaldo still unclear. They had targeted teenage star Benjamin Sesko, who has been on their radar since he was a youngster in Slovenia. Sesko had made his name at Red Bull Salzburg and has since made the move to Leipzig.
The 19-year-old has headed to Germany for £20m as Leipzig, again, beat United to one of their targets. Rangnick, who was previously part of the set-up at the Red Bull-owned club, had also recommended that the Premier League club pursue several of their players.
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He said previously: "There might be a couple of players - and I have already named those players to the board - that independent from formation, from style of football, and independent from a new manager, that could be of interest for a club like United."
Josko Gvardiol, Konrad Laimer and Christopher Nkunku were the trio who Rangnick urged the club to pursue. Nkunku saw his stock rise hugely last term as he scored more than 30 times for the German side, including a hat-trick in a Champions League game against Manchester City.
Gvardiol is a defensive option whilst Laimer would provide more quality to the midfield, which is a particular area of concern. The duo of Fred and Scott McTominay were again criticised on the opening weekend of the Premier League with Frenkie de Jong a long-term target and Adrien Rabiot now edging closer to a move to Manchester.
