Manchester United hatch clever FFP transfer plan to solve desperate Marcus Rashford dilemma

Manchester United's summer transfer plans now seem to be in motion three weeks after the 2023/24 campaign ended. The decision to stick with Erik ten Hag means the process has started in shaping the squad.

New players will arrive at Old Trafford in the club's attempt to drastically improve on the eighth-placed finish in the Premier League. However, due to the well-documented limitations in the market due to the league's profit and sustainability rules (PSR), INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe face a summer of smart and careful recruitment.

A bid of £43m for Jarrad Brainthwate has already been made, and turned down, with Everton demanding close to £70m. It isn't yet known whether United will return with an improved offer but it does show that the hierarchy are prepared to spend what is necessary.

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As well as a new central defender, United need another holding midfielder and striker. There are also some doubts over the options out wide with Antony failing to discover any consistency and Jadon Sancho likely to leave.

Again, Ratcliffe and Ten Hag must be clever in their recruitment process and that's why the impressive Xavi Simons is a great option for United to consider. For many reasons.

French outlet L'Equipe have reported this weekend that United have joined Arsenal and Manchester City in the fiercely contested race to sign the Paris Saint-German attacker. Simons left PSG in 2022 to join PSV Eindhoven, where he scored 19 goals and eight assists.

His sensational form resulted in PSG triggering a £5m buyback clause in