Erik ten Hag will receive significant financial backing during the summer transfer window - regardless of whether Manchester United qualify for the Champions League.
The Dutchman is expected to leave his post as Ajax manager to take over at Old Trafford at the end of the season. Attention has quickly turned to what this could mean for United's transfer business as they look to rebuild following a torrid few months.
The Red Devils have slumped to seventh in the Premier League table and their hopes of leapfrogging Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham to secure fourth place are hanging by a thread. While failure to reach the Champions League would deal a huge blow to their coffers, United chiefs are prepared to stomach this and open the chequebook for Ten Hag.
That is according to the Daily Telegraph, which claims the 52-year-old will be handed a shortlist of potential transfer targets upon his appointment. The report adds signing a striker and two ready-made midfielders accustomed to pressing are the priorities.
United scouts are also searching for a right-sided forward but a new addition in this area is not viewed as a priority. Ten Hag will have a say in transfer business and is expected to contribute to the process of rebuilding the squad.
He presented the Red Devils hierarchy with a comprehensive dossier analysing every player currently on the books during his interview and is believed to want to improve their physical conditioning. Ten Hag may also have his own ideas about who United should offload in the summer, which could prove vital to freeing up funds.
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The likes of Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani are out of contract in less than three months while another dozen or so players are facing uncertain futures. Meanwhile, the report adds United chiefs are targeting Harry Kane, Declan Rice and John McGinn to address their problem areas.
Tottenham centre-forward Kane was heavily linked with local rivals Manchester City last summer but failed to force an exit while West Ham vice-captain Rice is valued at a whopping £150million. McGinn may be the most realistic target with Aston Villa more likely to sell up for a lower fee.
Elsewhere, United remain huge admirers of Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham but harbour doubts over whether the German club would let him and Erling Haaland depart in the same window. Ten Hag may choose to plunder Ajax with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, right-back Noussair Mazraoui and forward Anthony among the many rising talents attracting interest from across Europe.
