Man Utd: Solskjaer delivers devastating Maguire fitness updaye
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves says his old club faces a big decision as they prepare to dive into the transfer market this summer.
United have steadied the ship under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but know that they need significant reinforcements if they're to mount a credible challenge to cross-town rivals and newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester City next season.
Speaking to Sportsmail, Hargreaves laid out the clear decision Solskjaer and the United brass need to agree on as they weigh up the impact of blowing most, or all, of their transfer budget on signing Harry Kane from Tottenham, or using their summer fighting fund to address key shortcomings in their lineup.
"It’s a big call: do you get a right winger, a centre-back and a central midfielder or do they go and get Harry Kane?" Hargreaves explained.
"I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer.
"The one thing you would say is that they won’t want Kane to go elsewhere, they don’t want him to go to their competition.
Transfer decision Owen Hargreaves says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faces a summer quandary (Image: GETTY)
"I am sure there is a lot going on behind the scenes right now."
The summer acquisition of Kane would certainly make a splash and give United a talismanic front man to help lead the line and bring the best out of United's talented young guns, including Mason Greenwood.
But Hargreaves has identified three key positions United need to address in order to turn their squad into a potentially title-challenging one in 2021/22.
"Recruitment is easy. You ask: what do we have and what do we need?" he stated.
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"Right now, United need a right winger, a central midfielder and a central defender.
"If Ole gets those three, he can win the league next season."
Regardless of whether Solskjaer would prefer Kane or a host of key additions, what is clear is the fact that the Norwegian needs to be given the funds to go out and secure the signings the team requires to improve next season.
"If he is backed and they bring in players – I don’t mean any players, I am talking difference-makers.
"Look at the impact Virgil van Dijk had at Liverpool, the impact Ruben Dias had at City.
"You need guys in the areas you need, if Ole gets that, they will be closer.’
When asked who Solskjaer should target if they opt for the multi-player approach to the transfer window, Hargreaves identified Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho and Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane as key options, but warned neither will come cheap.