Ivan Toney signs, Kobbie Mainoo partner and £100m raid - Man United's dream summer transfer window

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS Group have grabbed the bull by the horns behind the scenes at Old Trafford in the few weeks since their £1.25billion investment was rubber-stamped by the Premier League. However, further important decisions which await are dependent on what happens out of hand.

An underwhelming season means United are playing catch up for Champions League qualification, but fifth place might well be good enough to make it through to the marquee European competition. Recruitment is probably dependent on it, no matter how much pulling power Old Trafford has.

United have splashed out £400million-plus since Erik ten Hag was appointed coming up two years ago. They have been among the worst spenders in football for a decade now and - among many other things - INEOS will need to make huge strides in the market to atone for past errors.

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Regrettably, that means another significant outlay is needed. The catalyst for change behind the scenes has come, with Sir Dave Brailsford and Omar Berrada among those on board - not to mention Dan Ashworth on-radar - while top-four success or failure will govern what might (or might not) be possible when it comes to transfer deals in the short-term before INEOS is properly established at the helm.

But would-be restrictions - or practicality - should not stop United from dreaming! Exactly who or what Ten Hag - if he stays put as manager - will need will depend on the budget and outgoings as United provisionally set their sights on a new full-back and centre-back, another defensive-minded midfielder and an attacking option to provide cover and competition for