Manchester United have London clubs’ players on the summer shortlist

Loads of prep work to be done and behind the scenes moves to be made by Manchester United between now and the summer, before next season kicks off. Besides acquiring the services of their new long-term manager, they need to add quality players in a couple of areas.

It’s slowly becoming another one to forget for the Man United faithful. A chance at Champions League glory is still on but slipping through their fingers with a half-hearted performance against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday passed, where they drew 1-1.

That, and the fight for a top-four finish is very much alive but that too can be slipping out of their clutches with Arsenal grinding out the right results in their push for Champions League football; United and Arsenal are now a point apart from each other with them laying in fourth and fifth, respectfully — the Gunners also have two games in hand.

Manchester United not stressing over next season

Despite the fear of not making UCL ball for the next term, Man United are more than confident they will land their summer targets with or without Champions League football next season.

With the new powers being put into place and a proper plan set out for the transfer window, things could run a lot smoother for them this summer than it has in recent history.

With this being said; the United board have named players from London clubs, Tottenham and West Ham United, as their biggest summer priorities; they have named Harry Kane as their striker target and Declan Rice to plug the gaping hole in midfield.

"Manchester United remain convinced they can attract their top targets to Old Trafford in the summer even if they miss out on a place in the Premier League top four, sources have told ESPN.Sources have told ESPN that United are prepared to spend in the summer regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League.Targets like Declan Rice and Harry Kane have made it clear they want to play in Europe’s top club competition but United believe they are still in a position to pull off marquee signings even if they miss out on a place in the top four this season."

Players’ ambitions could not match United’s summer plan

It is no secret, the select two that the Red Devils have named at the top of their list are after club football at the highest level and want to take part on the big stage in Europe. Added this, Rice is currently hot property at the moment.

He is and has been linked with a switch to Chelsea for the past two transfer windows, with the Blues working hard to return their youth product to Stamford Bridge. However, the Manchester club have kept their name in the hat all the time, whenever Chelsea is mentioned.

This has also led many to believe that the Hammer has a prefered destination, and that is in West London as a Blue. But Man United do believe they have the money to pull off mega deals and can persuade the best in Europe with the right offer.

The Old Trafford outfit goes on and uses their multimillion, recording-breaking £89.3 deal of Paul Pogba back in 2016 as the prime example of what pulling power the sleeping giant has — sleeping giant because it’s been four years since they’ve won anything and nine years since winning the Premier League.

"Sources at United point to their capture of Paul Pogba for a world record fee of £89.3 million in 2016, ahead of a season in the Europa League, as evidence that they would not have to change their transfer plans depending on whether or not they secure Champions League football. (Via: espn.com)"

Interesting summer ahead for those associated with Manchester United. Before they can look onwards, a new manager needs to be assigned. Thankfully, they are well underway in their search for a new man to take over at the helm — wanting a manager to be announced before preseason kicks-off.