Five budget transfers Man Utd could seal after Woodward warns of post-virus cut-backs including long-term target Cavani
MANCHESTER UNITED supremo Ed Woodward last week warned that it would not be "business as usual" for clubs in the transfer market this summer.
With the global coronavirus pandemic having decimated the football calendar, clubs around the world will have to cut their cloth accordingly in order to survive the unprecedented crisis.
The Red Devils still hope to complete a move for top target Jadon Sancho, but even so it will be a difficult window to navigate.
Woodward told a virtual fans' forum: "Nobody should be under any illusions about the scale of challenge facing everyone in football and it may not be ‘business as usual’ for any clubs, including ourselves, in the transfer market this summer.
“As ever our priority is the success of team, but we need visibility of the impact across the whole industry, including timings of the transfer window, and the wider financial picture, before we can talk about a return to normality."
With these financial pressures in mind, we take a look at five bargains that the Red Devils could secure this summer.
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1) Edinson Cavani
2) Miralem Pjanic
Losing Paul Pogba may be a blow to United... but signing Miralem Pjanic in the process would certainly soften it.
Pogba has hardly been a factor in the Red Devils' campaign having made just eight appearances this term.
Bruno Fernandes' explosive arrival following his January switch has made United fans forget all about missing Pogba.
And with Juventus reportedly willing to offer Pjanic in part-exchange to bring their former midfielder back to Turin, many of the Old Trafford faithful would surely take it - particularly with the balance that Pjanic could provide in midfield alongside Fernandes and Scott McTominay.
3) Thomas Meunier
Talented right-back Thomas Meunier has been an excellent player for Paris Saint-Germain and Belgium over the last few years.
But now 28, he looks likely to become a free agent, with PSG surprisingly not having moved to extend his contract at the Parc des Princes.
Unsurprisingly he has gathered a lot of interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan... as well as Spurs.
But the technically adept full-back could do well at United, with the Red Devils having previously monitored his situation with interest.
4) Willian
United and Willian spent seemingly the whole summer of 2018 flirting with each other, but no deal was agreed and the Brazilian remained at Chelsea.
He is a popular figure at Stamford Bridge, having helped the Blues win two Premier League titles.
But that time appears to be coming to an end this summer, with talks over a new contract having stalled over the length of the deal.
With Chelsea reluctant to offer the 31-year-old a long-term extension, United could swoop in to finally secure their man.
Willian would provide an excellent, experienced option in the Red Devils' young squad... and be the perfect man to help nurture Daniel James.
5) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal's captain has once again been in red-hot form this season, netting 20 goals despite the Gunners' enduring an awful campaign.
The 30-year-old has just one year remaining on his contract in North London, however, and talks are believed to have been scrapped after months of haggling.
Arsenal will not allow themselves to be pushed into a corner as they were with Alexis Sanchez, and will sell the Gabon striker this summer if he does not put pen to paper.
While United may be scarred by the disastrous Sanchez deal, the thought of landing one of the league's best strikers in Aubameyang for potentially as little as £30m must be tempting, especially as they'd be weakening a rival...