How United can land their top targets now revealed | OneFootball

Manchester United are gearing up for a huge summer, and, according to the latest reports, INEOS have grand plans in mind.

The midfield is in the most urgent need of reinforcements, with as many as two additions possible, while the team also needs cover at the back and possibly a left-sided winger.

All this is going to cost a bomb, and according to The Daily Mail‘s Chris Wheeler, the Red Devils have devised two sets of targets, contingent on where the club finishes at the end of the season.

Finishing within the Champions League places and trimming a bloated wage bill while also getting rid of the deadwood would transform United’s capability in the market.

How United can transform their budget

The 20-time English league champions could raise as much as £100 million through player sales, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund likely to depart permanently.

That would hand them greater leeway when it comes to bidding for players and agreeing on wages. United are currently fourth, and with fifth place also good enough to secure entry into Europe’s premier club competition, INEOS will be quietly confident.

In case things go horribly wrong, the Old Trafford side will struggle to pay top midfield target Elliot Anderson’s wages, handing Manchester City a free run at the Englishman.

INEOS have kept a backup list ready just in case. Hopefully, it does not come to that.

CL qualification is a must

“United’s budget this summer will be night and day depending on whether they qualify for the Champions League,” Wheeler was quoted as saying.

“They’ll effectively be working with two different budgets, two different shopping lists and two completely different plans. If United secure Champions League football and £100m-plus, that would be transformative.

“It would put them back at the top table in terms of the players they can attract and the salaries they can offer. Without a top-four or top-five finish, could United afford to pay Elliott Anderson’s wage demands? I’m not so sure.”

United’s Premier League finish will also have a bearing on Michael Carrick‘s future, with Thomas Tuchel currently leading the race.

But with the squad and club captain backing the caretaker head coach, INEOS will have a tough time denying Carrick the top job if the season aims are met.

Feature image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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