Erik ten Hag isn't finding life easy as the manager of Manchester United just yet.
The Red Devils' revolution under their new manager has, unsurprisingly, got off to a slow start. But with the summer transfer window officially open, Ten Hag can formally begin to overhaul United's rudderless squad, having already allowed the likes of out of contract stars Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba to depart.
But while club officials can play around with bucket-loads of cash, actually buying the players they want is proving difficult - and there's one big reason why. The Red Devils' horrendous sixth-place finish last season leaves them without Champions League football for the first time since 2019, a competition that the best in Europe are desperate to play in.
As United have quickly found out in a brutal reality check, top targets such as Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Benfica striker Darwin Nunez have either snubbed the opportunity to become part of the Red Devils' rebuild, or are stalling to see if anything better comes along. Ajax defender Jurrien Timber tellingly referenced already being in the Champions League with his current club as a factor in why he may well choose to say put - particularly as he bids to secure a World Cup spot with Holland.
With United's Europa League predicament in mind, here are six transfer alternatives Ten Hag could turn to.
Frenkie de Jong - Youri Tielemans
Kicking off with a back-up to the man Ten Hag wants most, De Jong, Tielemans could be the bargain of the summer given his contract situation at Leicester City. The Belgian, 25, only has 12 months remaining on his current deal and reports that he could be available for a cut-price fee of £25million is a figure no club can sniff at.
Proven in the Premier League as one of its best deep-lying playmakers, Tielemans possesses the technical qualities to offset potentially missing out on De Jong, although admittedly isn't as athletic. However, pair him with the right partner and the Red Devils' midfield suddenly looks levels above where it has been with Fred and Scott McTominay.
If Ten Hag can somehow still land his dream signing of De Jong, then why not go the extra mile too and pair Tielemans with him?
Declan Rice/Kalvin Phillips - Ibrahim Sangare
Speaking of who could operate alongside Tielemans for United, Sangare may be a relatively unknown name to English football followers - but it doesn't look set to be that way for much longer. Multiple reports claim that the PSV Eindhoven ace has his heart set on a move to the Premier League after two years with the Dutch giants.
The Red Devils have had their sights set on Rice and Phillips as defensive-midfield savours, but a myriad of factors such as lofty price tags and competition for their signatures has seen United's chances significantly dented over the past few months.
Sanagre, meanwhile, is ready for the elite and Ten Hag should know all about the 24-year-old from their time in the Eredivisie. The Ivorian helped PSV beat Ajax in the KNVB Cup final in April, impressing so much that as well as the 20-time English champions, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have all been linked with him.
With an attractive £29.8m release clause, it doesn't appear to be a difficult move to pull off from an Old Trafford point of view - not to mention his own stance. "Playing in the Premier League is not only a dream of mine, but a dream of every footballer," Sangare recently declared to De Telegraaf. "That is the biggest and most important league in the world."
Jurrien Timber - Pau Torres
While Ten Hag scours his homeland for the best deals, a look across to Spain promises more success in the defensive department. With Timber indicating that another campaign at Ajax would allow him to develop further before making the leap to one of Europe's top five leagues, Torres seems set for a move right now.
Having spent all of his career at boyhood club Villarreal, the left-sided centre-back has established himself as a regular for his country and stalwart under Unai Emery. Fresh off appearances in the Champions League semi-finals, Torres has been tipped for a switch to Manchester for well over a year.
Although Tottenham have also been tagged as interested, the Red Devils' recruitment team have reportedly consulted Ten Hag over a possible swoop, putting them in pole position to sign him. Recent claims from Spain suggest that United are already plotting a £50m offer, similar to what Ajax are demanding for the less-proven Timber.
Alessandro Bastoni - Josko Gvardiol
In a much briefer transfer saga than what Red Devils bigwigs are used to, Inter Milan rock Bastoni - another left-sided centre-back - has committed his future to the Italian giants, having been linked with a move to Old Trafford throughout June. Given the ages of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane, it's no surprise that Ten Hag wants to plant the seeds for United's defensive future and that's potentially why two targets in Timber and Bastoni have been linked.
A less-talked-about alternative is RB Leipzig sensation Gvardiol, who has taken to life in the Bundesliga like a duck to water following his under-the-radar transfer from Dinamo Zagreb last summer.
Left-footed, a physical brute and exceptionally comfortable on the ball, the fact the Croatian is only 20 but so accomplished is astounding. Three years younger than Bastoni and seemingly much more attainable, Leipzig will be braced for bids this summer and the Red Devils should fancy their chances.
Antony - Arnaut Danjuma
Another Ajax star who Ten Hag is hoping to take with him from Amsterdam comes in the form of Antony, one of Europe's most exciting young wingers. The 22-year-old enjoyed a spectacular season under the new United boss last time out, particularly in the Champions League.
But with a mooted £55m price tag, perhaps another star who shone on the biggest stage can find joy on the Old Trafford flanks. Villarreal winger Danjuma bagged an incredible 16 goals and assists in 11 games as Emery's side reached the last four, but the Netherlands international may well be heading back to the Premier League only a year after leaving Bournemouth.
Linked with Liverpool, too, the Red Devils are believed to be monitoring Danjuma, who has even declared that he's got work left to do in the Premier League. "There is definitely unfinished business for me in England," the 25-year-old told Sky Sports. "If you look back to the reasons why I joined Bournemouth initially it was for me to play Premier League football."
Join the debate! Who should Man Utd sign this summer? Give us your picks in the comments section.
Darwin Nunez - Gianluca Scamacca
Arguably the most painful snub Ten Hag and co .will suffer this summer is Nunez's impending decision to join Liverpool. The Red Devils' old enemies look to have beaten them to the Uruguayan hotshot's signature, as they're prepared to meet Benfica's £85m asking price in a record-breaking deal.
While Cristiano Ronaldo can certainly lead the line for another term, Old Trafford chiefs will be acutely aware of the lack of a long-term striker solution. Names such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Victor Osimhen and Moussa Dembele have been thrown around, but Arsenal target Scammaca is a hidden gem who should absolutely be considered after a breakout season with Sassuolo in Serie A.
Now a fully-fledged Italy international, the 23-year-old scored 16 league goals for his mid-table team and looks the ideal modern striker. Towering over defenders at 6ft 5in, Scamacca is also mobile and a willing runner, darting into the channels for a sniff at goal.
Ten Hag worked well with a similarly imposing striker at Ajax in Sebastien Haller, proving that he knows how to get the best out of a flexible big man. Potentially available for just £34m, United can flex their muscles and at least win this race.
