MANCHESTER UNITED’S new technical team will hold a transfer summit with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this week to nail down their targets for the summer.
United finally overhauled their senior management structure last week which saw John Murtough appointed football director and former star Darren Fletcher being named their first technical director.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be ruthless when the transfer window opensCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Edinson Cavani will not be offered an extension to his one-year dealCredit: AFP
They will join the newly-appointed director of football negotiations Matt Judge in meeting Solskjaer and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodword in high-level talks deciding on what direction the club wants to move in for next season.
SunSport understands four key positions have been highlighted to bring in new signings in an attempt to close the gap on Manchester City and deliver a squad capable of challenging for the title.
Top of the list is a new centre-forward who will finally end the long search for a recognised goalscorer at Old Trafford.
Edinson Cavani will not be offered an extension to his current one-year deal while a decision will be made on whether to accept offers for Anthony Martial, who has struggled to produce on a regular basis through his United career.
Wonderkid Erling Haaland, 20, is the obvious first-choice for that job, though United are sure to be in stiff competition for his signature so they need to settle on other options should a deal with Borussia Dortmund not be reached.
A new central midfielder is also wanted, with Nemanja Matic likely to be allowed to leave although Scott McTominay is regarded as integral to their plans.
United come up against one of the main players of interest in that position today, when Declan Rice leads West Ham at Old Trafford in a key battle in the race to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Rice is understood to have impressed all three of the new transfer management team but United know it would take a considerable offer of at least £80million to tempt the Hammers into selling.
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Solskjaer has lost patience in French striker Anthony MartialCredit: Getty Images – Getty
David de Gea could be flogged if Dean Henderson takes the No1 jerseyCredit: Reuters
The reliance on Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back has been shown this season and the club are looking to bring in someone else to provide cover in that position.
And a new top-class centre-back is also wanted to come in alongside Harry Maguire, preferably someone with more pace, with that an area of weakness highlighted through the middle this season.
There is also likely to be discussion about the goalkeeping team, with Dean Henderson now close to establishing himself as the new first-choice for Solskjaer.
Sergio Romero is definitely on the way out and ideally United would not want to keep David De Gea only as back-up if he is drawing wages of £350,000-a-week.
Should Solskjaer indicate Henderson is his priority going forward, it would give Judge time to start looking for potential buyers for the Spanish keeper.
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Solskjaer says Cavani could stay at Man Utd despite dad’s transfer bombshell and jokes summer heat will change his mind
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
