Sign a striker
You can imagine how dismayed United supporters are after Chelsea signed a France international goalscorer from one of the big five leagues for a reasonable fee after their worst season in nearly three decades. Christopher Nkunku was briefly of interest to United and he would have been a worthy figurehead had Chelsea not been so quick off the mark.
Instead, United could end up paying around double the £52million Chelsea have parted with for Nkunku. RB Leipzig should have had Chelsea over a barrel as Nkunku's contract still had three years to run and Chelsea have thrown money around as recklessly as schoolchildren in a food fight.
United's pursuit of Harry Kane went cold last month as Tottenham gave no indication they would sell him. Erik ten Hag has held video calls with Rasmus Hojlund, now reputedly valued at €100m by Atalanta, and United have been keeping tabs on Nkunku's compatriot Randal Kolo Muani of Eintracht Frankfurt. Muani's deal runs as long as Hojlund's and his goalscoring record is superior. Victor Osimhen has the highest valuation of all the strikers but could remain at Napoli.
It possibly brings United back to Ten Hag's preferred pick: Kane. United have not even attempted to drive a wedge between Kane and Spurs when it might spark some movement.
Also read: United might be letting Ten Hag do what Guardiola did
United have known for the best part of a year they would need a goalscorer this summer and the profligate evidence last season underscored that. They agreed a £90m deal to make Romelu Lukaku their new No.9 and that was six years ago.
If United end the transfer window with Anthony Martial still their No.9 they can expect to be back in the Europa League in 2024.
Mount meandering
United have been here before with a Chelsea midfielder. They agreed personal terms with Nemanja Matic in May 2017 and that deal was not completed until July 31.
In between, erroneous information emerged suggesting United were on the verge of signing Fabinho from Monaco. A gullible section of United's online following swallowed it. Come Matic's arrival, they were underwhelmed. Jose Mourinho's principal midfield target was actually Eric Dier.
With Mason Mount, United either sweat it out with Chelsea or overpay for a player who has played 13 times this year and is about to enter the final year of his contract. Fans are not renowned for their patience during transfer windows but United might have to be with Mount.
Goalies coming and going
United now want to sign a No.1 goalkeeper but the notion it will be a show-stopper is fanciful when their budget is compromised by the need for a proven goalscorer. Brentford have bought Mark Flekken for £11m and Bart Verburggen - on United's radar - has been mooted to join Brighton.
Flekken is 30 and Verbruggen is 20. Ideally, United would recruit a custodian in the middle of that age range. They are not short of options that come in at under £50m (a reasonable rate for a long-term 'keeper) but there is not a standout candidate. Despite Ten Hag's desire to recruit England internationals, United have not made contact with Jordan Pickford's representatives.
As for the incumbent 'keepers, this week has to be David de Gea's last full week on the United payroll. Sources suggest Dean Henderson has "p----d off" Ten Hag and there is next to no indication he is under consideration for a promotion to No.1 after an uneasy couple of years with his parent club.
Clear the decks
Go through United's current 28-man senior squad and only 11 players are must-keeps for next season. United seemingly do not have the benefit Chelsea have of flogging dead wood to Saudi Arabian clubs nobody has ever heard of. Conveniently, The Saudi Public Investment Fund has invested in Clearlake Capital, the owners of Chelsea. United ought to be hiring a private jet to transport Eric Bailly, Alex Telles and Martial to the Gulf.
Others need to read the writing on the wall. United were proactive in planning for players to loan or sell, settling on names as far back as January. The representatives of one peripheral player were vehemently in denial only for the player to be the scapegoat in a crushing defeat the following evening.
Ideally, United will end the window with a new striker, midfielder, 'keeper and defender at the very least. To achieve that, they have to sell well, something they have not done since 2007 when they obtained £27.2m for Alan Smith, Gabriel Heinze, Giuseppe Rossi and Kieran Richardson.
Settle on an attack
As urgent as a new striker is it is easy to forget United may need another forward. Martial, though possibly unsellable due to his dire fitness and form, is their only out-and-out striker. Plenty of United season-ticket holders would still dispute that.
If there is a taker for Martial, United need dependable cover for a new center forward. Ie. the antithesis of Wout Weghorst. Going off the Dutch-centric recruitment under Ten Hag, the agent of Sydney van Hooijdonk might be in business.
Amad is possibly in a lose-lose situation going into pre-season. Perform and it is easily dismissed (Martial and Jadon Sancho were the finest performers in Thailand and Australia last year). Underperform and another loan might beckon.
Given the balance Amad provides as a right-footed winger, United ought to have faith in their £37m investment as back-up to Antony. On the opposite flank, Ten Hag has Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho. Having like-for-like wingers would aid United's evolving identity.
