Manchester United are determined not to make the same mistake they made last summer.
With Erik ten Hag in the hot seat and optimism finally returning to Old Trafford for the first time in years, it was oh so nearly frittered away. Like a not-so-skilful Million Pound Drop player, United put almost all their cash on the Frenkie de Jong trapdoor and watched in dismay as the notes fluttered into the ether.
The Barcelona midfielder was the new manager's top target to help accelerate his revolution and implement the football he wants to implement but De Jong did not - and still does not - want to leave Camp Nou. The stand-off lasted for weeks as United remained determined to get their man.
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It was the humiliating 4-0 defeat at Brentford in the second week of the season, which had followed an opening-day loss to Brighton, which finally spurred them into action. The ghost was finally given up on De Jong and United looked elsewhere. To their immense fortune, they looked in the best possible place as Casemiro arrived instead.
The Brazilian has brought all De Jong would have and perhaps even more as he has become the lynchpin of the side, making crucial contributions at both ends of the pitch. It all worked out in the end but it was a scramble that betrayed a lack of an actual plan and huge nativity. Casemiro could just have easily not fancied stepping down from his comfy spot at Real Madrid and then where would United be?
They got away with it last year but appear to be taking no chances this time around and have already drafted a hefty list of alternatives to their top target. Unsurprisingly, the biggest priority this coming summer will be a new striker.
United are the lowest scorers in the top five and have exactly 30 fewer goals than Manchester City. That's a lot of ground to make up if they aim to launch a title challenge next season but Harry Kane can be relied upon to get them.
The England captain has bagged at least 20 times in the last nine consecutive seasons, breaking the 30-goal barrier four times and 40 once. He is exactly what United need to take them to the next level but signing him will not be easy.
Even though he is in the final year of his contract, Tottenham will be reluctant to let their talisman depart especially as they attempt to hire a top-class manager. Chairman Daniel Levy tends to dislike selling star players to Premier League rivals, too.
There is every likelihood that just like last summer, United fail to sign their top target. But this time they will be ready. Victor Osimhen has long been admired and the man who has fired Napoli to the cusp of a long-awaited Serie A title is of the same calibre as Kane, even if there are concerns about adapting to the Premier League and that he hasn't been doing it for as long as the Spurs man.
He would be the other big-money alternative but may be just as hard to sign given Napoli's penchant for driving a hard bargain. No bother, Goncalo Ramos, Mohammed Kudus, Rasmund Hojlund and Randal Kolo Muani are all on the shortlist as well.
With six strikers on the radar, United will surely be able to sign one quality option in the summer even if they miss out on the biggest fish. But with all of those players' clubs also known for milking every penny out of a sale, there would be no harm in adding to it on the safe side.
Just as it did in August, facing Brentford could help. Ivan Toney has been exceptional since the Bees' promotion and has 29 Premier League goals to his name. Then there is the 74 he scored in the three previous seasons in the EFL as well.
The 27-year-old is a consistent goal threat regardless of the level he is playing at but there is much more to his game than that. He brings sublime movement, an excellent touch to pick the ball out of the sky, sharp link-up play and the physical robustness to batter defenders - just as United felt first-hand in the loss.
Toney has a lot of the traits and skills Ten Hag loves so much in Wout Weghorst but actually possesses the finishing ability to go with it. Whether the ball is going long in the channels, up in the air or into his feet, he is a deadly striker and one who would not look out of place on United's shortlist.
The only downside, and it's significant, is that a lengthy ban is hanging over his head after he pleaded guilty to many of the 262 betting charges issued to him by the FA last year.
United will come up against Toney again on Wednesday and will no doubt see how great an option he could be once more. If his punishment ends up not being as dramatic as expected, his name might get added to the list yet.
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