Erik ten Hag has suffered a fresh blow ahead of taking charge of Manchester United this summer – with the club set to miss out on four midfield targets.
The Dutchman is set to arrive at Old Trafford at the end of the season and kick start a huge overhaul at the club, with midfield being a key area in which United are looking for improvements. But the incoming United boss already appears to be hitting a brick wall in his summer recruitment drive.
It comes as Paul Pogba has received a contract offer from former side Juventus. And United legend Andy Cole has questioned whether Harry Maguire should have handed the captain's armband to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Here are Mirror Football's latest Manchester United headlines.
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Maguire captaincy questioned
The Manchester United captaincy may have "weighed heavily" on Harry Maguire this season, according to club legend Andy Cole.
Like many of United's players, Maguire has had a torrid season with his form hitting such a rut that there has been talk of the defender giving the captain's armband to Cristiano Ronaldo. And United legend Cole thinks that handing over the captaincy would have allowed Maguire to "concentrate on his game".
Maguire's struggles have seen him fall out of interim boss Ralf Rangnick's starting line-up, but Cole also questioned whether that decision has "been beneficial" with "only three games left".
Pogba's contract offer
Paul Pogba could move to Juventus from Manchester United on a free for the second time in his career – with the Italians believing they are the favourites to land the midfielder.
Pogba's contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season and it appears his time at the club is now up. Juventus want to build their team around Pogba and view him as one of the best midfielders in the world.
They face competition for his signature, however, with Paris Saint-Germain having also made an offer to sign the Frenchman, who is waiting on whether Real Madrid will firm up their interest in signing him.
Ten Hag's midfield blow
Four targets identified by Erik ten Hag to help solve Manchester United's problems in midfield have already turned down the club.
German outfit Borussia Dortmund have told United to forget about signing Jude Bellingham as they won't entertain the idea of selling him in the same window as star striker Erling Haaland, who is set to join Manchester City. Meanwhile Leeds United's Kalvin Phillips has no intention of joining his club's bitter rivals.
Declan Rice has hinted he would prefer to remain at West Ham next season if a move to a team in the Champions League doesn't materialise. And Lazio have told United Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is not for sale.
It means Ten Hag is already facing a headache even before his arrival at the club at the end of the season.
