Champions League football gives Erik ten Hag three Manchester United summer transfer priorities

Manchester United will once again be mixing it with the big boys next season.

There'll be no more Thursday nights, no more trips to Moldova, no more away days in Cyprus. The Reds will be front and centre in Europe's elite competition after a year away.

It's where Erik ten Hag and United want to be, where supporters expect them to be, and where they hope to be competing once again at the sharp end. Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, United have qualified for the Europa League as often as the Champions League and have mustered just one quarter-final in the latter since 2014.

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It's a record that needs improving and under Ten Hag the initial shoots have emerged to suggest it might. The top four was sewn up with a match to spare and United have beaten the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona this season.

There is still work to do on the pitch, while off it reinforcements are required. United have made no secret of their desire and need to add a striker to the ranks while a midfielder is also on the summer shopping list. Both positions are crucial if United are to challenge again domestically and on the European stage.

Marcus Rashford has carried the goalscoring burden this term but prefers to play off the wing. There have been plenty of times this season when United's need for a number nine has been obvious.

The best have them: Erling Haaland at Manchester City, Karim Benzema at Real Madrid, Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona, Victor Osimhen - a United target - at Napoli. If Ten Hag can convince the Nigeria international to swap Italy for England it would represent a shrewd move.

Tottenham frontman Harry Kane is the other leading pick as United seek to sharpen an