Manchester United could raid a number of Premier League clubs this summer as Ineos look to recruit major additions at Old Trafford.
We are now more than a week removed from the FA Cup final triumph and the attention is now turning to the summer.
Euro 2024 will take centre stage but Manchester United have plenty of business to get through this summer – both in the dugout and in terms of the playing squad.
Ineos must make a decision on Erik ten Hag’s future; the Dutchman has suffered a disappointing season but did end the campaign with an FA Cup under his arm.
United will also need a number of signings this summer having slipped from third place in Ten Hag’s first season to eighth this past term.
Targets from abroad are bound to be on the radar but United may also place a keen focus on Premier League talents.
Ineos are thought to be focusing on homegrown signings such as Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Premier League clubs will be on alert with United looking for signings.
Sir Alex Ferguson spotted with Dougie Freedman
Crystal Palace may well be one of those clubs, but they have already managed to keep hold of one United target.
Ineos were keen to bring Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman to Old Trafford and reports in March suggested that an approach was imminent.
Freedman has done some impressive work at Selhurst Park and Sir Alex Ferguson was allegedly putting his weight behind a move for his fellow Scot.
Palace ended up managing to convince Freedman to sign a new deal, shutting off any potential move to Old Trafford.
Freedman is already striking moves in the transfer market but he has been spotted alongside Ferguson this weekend.
The Daily Mail note that Ferguson and Freedman both attended a private members club in Mayfair.
Freedman and Ferguson have been close for years now with Sir Alex somewhat mentoring his compatriot in recent years.
Ferguson passing Freedman so strong certainly makes sense with that background and the pair clearly remain close despite no United move materialising.
Manchester United want Crystal Palace stars
United may yet call Freedman this summer – and not in an attempt to tempt him to Old Trafford.
Ineos appear to be very interested in signing a handful of Palace players this summer with Freedman’s recruitment being inadvertently praised.
Palace centre back Marc Guehi is understood to be a key target for United this summer.
At least one centre back will absolutely be needed at Old Trafford and Guehi – a homegrown talent with real Premier League consistency behind him – fits the bill.
United are also thought to be ‘confident’ of signing Palace winger Michael Olise.
The wide man is believed to be a boyhood United fan and would surely jump at the chance to make the move to Manchester.
Playmaker Eberechi Eze is also thought to be wanted by United according to reports this weekend.
Whilst Ferguson’s meeting with Freedman this weekend was almost certainly just two friends catching up, some United fans may hope that it a good word was put in about potential deals this summer.