Darts hero Michael van Gerwen trolls Manchester United with cheeky transfer comment

Darts champion Michael van Gerwen has trolled Manchester United, with Dutch compatriot Erik ten Hag still yet to rubber-stamp his first signing for the club.

United are working on a shortlist of targets after appointing Ten Hag last month. Netherlands players Jurrien Timber and Frenkie de Jong are top of the agenda, while free agent Christian Eriksen and Ajax forward Antony have also been earmarked, along with a back-up goalkeeper to replace Dean Henderson.

However, while those high-profile pursuits are in the public domain, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom have been unable to get any business across the line so far. Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are leaving United as free agents but no incomings have arrived.

READ MORE: Ryan Gravenberch sends Manchester United and Jurrien Timber transfer warning

Aside from ongoing interest in the above players, United and Ten Hag continue to be linked with countless names — particularly from the Eredivisie — as part of their rebuild. However, pulling power has been reduced somewhat with no Champions League football on offer next season.

And that's seemingly a big stumbling block for Van Gerwen if he ever chooses to step away from the oche! Having reclaimed his Premier League title with the darts in hand this month, the Dutchman was picked out by bookmakers Paddy Power as a tongue-in-cheek 'target' for United to go after this summer window.

The list posted on Twitter also featured world-famous DJ, Tiesto, and retired Netherlands star Wesley Sneijder.

Van Gerwen did not take long to stick the boot in with a light-hearted response. He retweeted the original post by Paddy Power and added the caption: "I'm a Champions League player I'm not dropping