Ralf Rangnick has suggested Manchester United should target players with a similar profile to Erling Haaland in the transfer market.
Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland, 21, is expected to join Manchester City in the summer when his €75million release clause becomes active. City officials are understood to have visited Haaland's agent, Mino Raiola, during negotiations.
United attempted to sign Haaland for €20m from Red Bull Salzburg when Rangnick was their sporting director in December 2019 but the Norwegian chose to join Dortmund, where he has plundered 82 goals in 86 games.
READ MORE: Rangnick advises United to sign two strikers
Rangnick confirmed he would stay on as a consultant to United on a two-year contract even though he is expected to accept an offer to coach the Austria national team. The German recommended United sign two strikers in the summer as Cristiano Ronaldo's future is uncertain and Edinson Cavani is expected to leave at the end of his contract.
Rangnick reiterated United should prioritise recruiting younger players with a high ceiling, something Rangnick excelled in during his sporting director role with the Red Bull group.
"For me, the most important bit is recruitment now," Rangnick said. "This is, for me, the most vital point, that we bring in the best possible players and speak about that, who could that be.
"It is not only identifying those players but meeting them, convincing them to join the club even though we will not be playing in the Champions League, so this is what I see as the most important bit.
"Again, also, in regards to the top talented players from the academy, identifying those players. We spoke about Mason Greenwood, he was probably one of the most talented players in the last couple of years. This is for me, right now, for the next one or two years, the most important part.
"My personal opinion is the club should try to find future top star players and develop them. Again, on the other hand, just tell me five players that might be some of those players you spoke about."
When Haaland was mentioned, Rangnick replied: "Haaland is a young player, he is 21 or 22, this is one of those players I spoke about. But, on the other hand, he has developed into one of the most expensive strikers in the world.
"He could be one of those examples where I think the focus should be on to try and identify and find and then convince players who could be Manchester United players for the next couple of years.
"It is obvious the club and the team need more players, for the very reason that quite a few players have no contracts anymore and some other players are not available anymore, some players might want to get more game-time and are on loan already. It is obvious the club needs quite a few new players.
"I already told you how I see that. For me, it's important the club identifies scouts and then recruits those kinds of players to develop Manchester United into one of the top teams again and therefore, you need mentality, quality, physicality, pace, skills, you need the full package."
