The importance of Manchester United's summer can not be downplayed. How successful they are in the transfer market will determine whether or not their five-year trophy drought will come to an end next season and maybe even if Erik ten Hag will be a success or not at Old Trafford.
United have at least got off to a good start by fulfilling their aim of hiring their next permanent manager before the end of the season. Ajax boss Ten Hag was officially confirmed as the incoming boss last week after the club paid £1.75million to release him from his contract in Amsterdam.
After securing the service of one of the most exciting, up-and-coming coaches in the game, the club must now support him in the transfer market. In terms of outgoings as well as signings.
ALSO READ: Manchester United might already have Alex Telles replacement to solve £13m transfer mistake
United already have a bit of an exodus on their hands with Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Lee Grant all expected to leave — but there are plenty more players who could well be shown the door. If Ten Hag deems any player unfit for purpose then United must be willing to get rid.
Then there are the incomings. It's understood that United are targeting a midfielder, centre-back and striker but more than three signings will almost certainly have to be made for Ten Hag to really revolutionise a broken squad.
Below MEN Sport writers have outlined what the perfect summer transfer window would be.
Rich Fay
United's dream summer would be one with five or six new signings to offset those who will leave at the end of the campaign, but the hard truth is that they are more likely to land three or four — and will likely need to pay over the odds to do so.
Ten Hag will head into his first summer looking to rejuvenate a stagnated squad but must do so while being unable to offer Champions League football, a near-identical situation to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first summer, which saw a similar budget of £145m spent on Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James.
United, therefore, need to prioritise strengthening the spine of their squad this summer with a young forward, a first-team-ready central midfielder and another centre-back as the three leading targets.
Due to the limited budget, a top target like Harry Kane or Declan Rice simply isn't feasible. Instead, they will need to lower their expectations with Kalvin Phillips an affordable option who is experienced in the Premier League and at international level.
Up front, Darwin Nunez might also be too expensive and, as a result, someone like Jonathan David at Lille might represent a more sensible option to ensure there is money left over to spend elsewhere.
Pau Torres is the leading target at centre-back, though he could be too expensive, and might not want to play Thursday night European football a season after reaching the Champions League semi-finals with boyhood club Villarreal. Jurrien Timber of Ajax seems the most attainable and would fit in better as a backup option.
Tyrone Marshall
Rangnick said United might need 10 new players last week but that is fantasy land for a club this size when there's going to be no Champions League football on offer. If United sign five new players it will be a successful window.
At least one central midfielder is a priority. I'd still go for Declan Rice but Kalvin Phillips is a cheaper alternative, although I don't think he's anywhere near as good as Rice. If Van de Beek and Garner get a chance next season then United can get by with one midfield signing, so make it a good one.
A centre forward is also desperately needed. Darwin Nunez fits the bill as a modern, physical striker who looks perfect for the Premier League. He can also play wide and can have a season to settle in before replacing Ronaldo.
The signing of Jadon Sancho didn't solve the right-wing problem, but if Ten Hag can use his time at Ajax that could be ideal to sign Antony, a left-footed right-winger that would add some X-factor to the attack.
I wouldn't write Maguire off just yet, but a centre back will be needed if Bailly, Jones and Tuanzebe all leave. The more important signing in defence is a right-back, however. Dalot and Wan-Bissaka are just not good enough for a team that wants to finish in the top four.
ALSO READ: Erik ten Hag's first task as Manchester United manager should be simple
Steven Railston
There can't possibly be enough departures at United this summer and that's not hyperbole. The current playing squad is gutless and a major clear out is required, which means United will have to bring multiple new players to the club.
There are more positions that need to be strengthened than not, but United's priority should be addressing their spine: centre-forward, defensive midfielder and centre-back. Harry Kane would be an ideal signing at striker but that seems unrealistic now after a miserable season. United might have to consider strikers like Lautaro Martinez and Moussa Dembele instead.
Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips have been outstanding in midfield for England and both would be excellent additions. Although the latter appears more attainable, his strong links to Leeds could complicate any switch from Elland Road to Old Trafford.
Harry Maguire's performances have been too bad to be true. He can only improve next season, but there are concerns over Raphael Varane's robustness and that means United need another high-quality centre-back. Pau Torres is back on United's radar and the Spaniard could prove a shrewd acquisition. Maguire and Varane could contend for the other starting spot in central defence.
Daniel Murphy
In an ideal world, United would finally gut out the rot within the squad, which would see more than 10 players depart. The club is nowhere near ruthless enough at present to go to that extent but there should still be a healthy clear-out this summer.
Then it depends on how much Ten Hag will be backed. There are already worrying rumblings that the new manager will not have a massive budget to work with, which is a shame as he certainly needs it. Midfield is the chief area of concern and a dream transfer window would see both Declan Rice and Frenkie de Jong arrive to drag the side into the modern-day and age.
De Jong may be possible given Barcelona's financial woes and the Ten Hag link, but a steep price and a lack of Champions League football could be costly, as with Rice. Instead, Kalvin Phillips to bring a solid base and a more expressive player like Ruben Neves or Youri Tielemans would bring a good balance to the side.
Keeping hold of Cristiano Ronaldo would be a perfect start to Ten Hag's reign, as then only a younger striker who can learn under him would be needed. Benfica's Darwin Nunez looks like the ideal candidate. Also, the defence will once again need strengthening. Another centre-back, potentially Pau Torres, would be great and another right-back would also be signed if everything went United's way. Ajax's Jurrien Timber could be a smart signing.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
