Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not expect that Manchester United’s struggles to qualify for next season’s Champions League will affect their summer transfer business.
United could be consigned to Europa League football this weekend if they fail to beat relegated Huddersfield and results elsewhere go against them.
Even if Solskjaer’s side take three points at the John Smith’s Stadium, a win for Chelsea against Watford will all but ensure United are kept out of the top four.
A year away from European football’s top table would be a setback for United and could hamper their attempts to rebuild Solskjaer’s squad.
But the United manager said on Friday that agents of top players have already been in touch, taking little notice of the club’s poor league position.
“You’d be surprised how many players’ agents have been touting their players,” Solskjaer said. ”Telling us that their players would love to be a part of Man United in the future.
“That’s the lure of Man United because they know the potential and size of the club, that we will in the end get back to the good days.
“Yes, we’re having a tough time at the moment. We’ve had a few seasons that we’ve not got up to the standards we expect but it’s up to me and the club to change it as quick as possible.
“If it’s a season without the Champions League, who knows but players still want to come to Man United and you probably wouldn’t be surprised but you would be surprised by the names that you get asked.”
United have lost seven of their last 10 games under Solskjaer, a run of form which has raised serious questions about several members of his squad.
Solskjaer accepts that players will have to be sold this summer and his thinking is being influenced day-by-day.
“You learn about them every single day,” he said. “You get positive and negative surprises all the time and every day. Here is a chance to prove that you should be part of the rebuild of Man United, definitely.”
