While Manchester United are yet to make their first signing of the summer transfer window, manager Erik ten Hag is sure to be busy.
The Reds boss is embarking on his second summer window at Old Trafford following a successful first season in charge. United largely performed above expectation as they wrapped up a first trophy in six years following their Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle, achieved a top-four finish in the Premier League to secure Champions League football next season and made it to the FA Cup final, where they were beaten by bitter rivals Manchester City.
It has been an encouraging first year at the helm for Ten Hag, who has transformed the form of players such as Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford, while also making astute acquisitions in the transfer market. Last summer, Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony and Lisandro Martinez all arrived on permanent deals in an overhaul of Ten Hag's squad.
All have proven important signings this season - and it appears Ten Hag employed a similar tactic in persuading several of them to move to Old Trafford. And even though United are yet to make a signing this summer, it likely shows that Ten Hag is no doubt already getting to work.
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The United boss had a difficult time persuading Christian Eriksen to move to United this time last year. "I ended up being at Brentford until the summer obviously and the contract was running out," Eriksen explained on the UTD Podcast in April. "So I was free to talk to other clubs and I kept my possibilities open.
"At the time, I wasn’t closed down on going back to Brentford, I wanted to see what else came in or [if] something could tempt me away from how good it was there. And then, of course, United came in."
But a simple phone call from Ten Hag helped persuade him. Eriksen added: "[I was] speaking to the manager [Erik ten Hag] on the phone and then I could actually see myself going to United.
"Luckily, they pulled through [to make the move] and I did as well. So, in the end, coming here was definitely very special."
And something similar happened when United were trying to persuade Tyrell Malacia to snub interest from French outfit Lyon in order to move to Old Trafford.
Malacia told Sky Sports in September: "I knew him because I played against him in Holland. Actually before I came here, I spoke with him on the phone and had some good talks with him. It felt good for me. You see what he wants.
"I think his vision is quite clear. Now, as both individuals and as a team, we have to develop that. It was a big decision to make so to know the club and the manager both want me, that was important for me."
The tactic also proved vital in helping United beat Arsenal to the signature of Lisandro Martinez. As Ten Hag himself explained in December: "Martinez himself wanted to leave. If we didn't take him, he would have gone to Arsenal.
"At a certain point, Lisandro Martinez called me up and said 'coach, listen, I will leave Ajax no matter what. I can sign for Arsenal, but if you want me, I will go to Manchester United'."
As the Manchester Evening News revealed earlier in the month, video calls have already taken place between Ten Hag and Atalanta centre forward Rasmus Hojlund. United fans will be hoping Ten Hag can repeat his trick and persuade the striker to move to the club this summer - and that he's already been on the phone to several other top targets as well.
