Erik ten Hag is determined to recruit a world-class striker and midfielder if Manchester United secure Champions League qualification.
Ten Hag has identified Harry Kane as the ideal centre forward to reinforce the United attack while the club are also monitoring Napoli figurehead Victor Osimhen.
The United manager has endorsed second approaches for Jude Bellingham or Frenkie de Jong, though Bellingham has been widely tipped to join Real Madrid and Barcelona's finances would pose an issue in any pursuit for De Jong.
Also read: United set to release five players
De Jong worked with Ten Hag for 18 months at Ajax and has been cited as an example of the profile United should target by his former manager.
Although De Jong and Bellingham are viewed as the most desirable options, Ten Hag is also considering more attainable options.
With summer signings Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both 31 and fellow midfielder Fred 30, Ten Hag wants a younger and domineering midfielder to complete United's transition to a more controlling style.
Ten Hag regards a striker as a priority and money is believed to have been set aside for a potential club-record investment in a new goalscorer.
However, well-placed sources have suggested a move for an eminent midfielder would have to be financed by outgoings, irrespective of United's ownership.
Unted could encounter competition for a striker as recruitment staff are mindful Chelsea and Bayern Munich are likely to be in the market for a new No.9. Figures at United are also reluctant to "play games" with the Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy amid their interest in Kane.
Ten Hag is understood to feel United have limitations in their frontline. Marcus Rashford is United's highest scorer with 29 goals this term but Bruno Fernandes is the only other player who has broken double figures.
Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho and Antony - who United paid a combined £216.41million for - have amassed 22 goals between them. The on-loan Wout Weghorst has mustered two goals in 27 appearances and United are not planning to sign the Dutchman permanently.
United are two wins away from securing a top-four finish but Ten Hag expects Liverpool, a point behind them in fifth, to be more competitive next season and there to be a reaction from Chelsea, set to install Mauricio Pochettino as their new coach.
Ten Hag is of the view United have to target outstanding talents, having focused on players with a lower profile last year due to United's lowly stock in the market after a sixth-place finish in 2021-22.
READ MORE:
