Manchester United’s summer promises to be a busy one – as INEOS will be judged for the first time on their impact at the club.
To this point, judgement has been reserved with United outside of a transfer window, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe has had limited time to implement any form of change at the club. However, the close season presents Ratcliffe with an opportunity to put his own stamp on the club.
His first decision will be to declare whether or not he will back Erik ten Hag to mastermind yet another rebuild at Old Trafford. If he does not, then a manager will need to be appointed quickly to ensure a seamless transition into the summer transfer window.
READ MORE: INEOS have new deadline to decide Ten Hag future
READ MORE: Watkins drops clear future hint
Once the managerial saga is concluded, the task will turn to adding players to a squad that has underperformed drastically this season. MEN Sport understands the Reds are looking to add a centre-back, central midfielder and centre-forward to their squad and just four players – Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho – are immune from being sold.
The transfer window officially opens on June 14, but already the rumours are swirling around as clubs look to complete their business early before the European Championships and Copa America launch into full swing. With United desperate to add to their team before the new season gets underway in August, the Manchester Evening News has taken a closer look at five players who are being tipped with a switch to Old Trafford, according to bookmakers Bet365.
Olise has been heavily linked with a switch to United after a brilliant campaign at Selhurst Park which was cut short due to injuries. His boyhood allegiances to the Reds could swing him towards a move to Old Trafford and the odds suggest the North West is his most likely destination.
(Image: Naomi Baker/Getty Images.)United are outsiders to add Neto to their squad who could be considered an alternative to Olise if he was to remain at Palace or move elsewhere. Like Olise, Neto has suffered with injuries this season but has still managed a good campaign. Manchester City are currently the favourites to complete a deal.
(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images.)Napoli’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis has made it known that Osimhen will be off in the summer but his destination is unknown. United have considered a move for the Nigerian striker previously but they are outsiders to add him to their strikeforce with PSG the current favourites.
(Image: Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images)Since his summer arrival from Coventry City, Gyokeres has enjoyed the season of his career to date with 43 goals in 49 appearances. Ruben Amorim will be keen to keep hold of his man and has the leverage to do that with another four years left on his contract. This means the Swede is currently backed to remain in Portugal but United have an outside chance of landing him.
(Image: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images.)Reports have suggested that the Merseyside club are expecting to lose their centre-back in the summer with clubs circling and their financial situation still not fully under control. United will look to benefit by snapping him up at a cut price and this appears certain looking at the latest markets.
(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)