Manchester United have only seven guaranteed starters in next season's team

The next few weeks of Manchester United's season are going to make a world of difference to their ambitions this summer. Somehow secure that unlikely Champions League berth and they will find their transfer budget enhanced and their options opening up.

But if this season continues its current trajectory then United look set for the Europa League at best and their absence from Europe's top table, at a time when the Champions League is increasing in size, will damage them financially and reputationally. The latter will recover, but the effect on their budget will be more painful in the short term.

Having spent £400million in two summers under Erik ten Hag, they are treading a fine line with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, which is why they were penniless in the January window when Ten Hag wanted to bring a striker in. Without the boost to the revenue stream that Champions League football brings, the forthcoming window is going to be a challenge.

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United will hope to have a new structure in place to deal with that. Omar Berrada will have taken up his post as chief executive, but talks remain ongoing with Newcastle to bring Dan Ashworth in as sporting director. There could also be a new manager, with Ten Hag's position under increasing scrutiny as Ineos conduct an overhaul of the club.

A new manager will inevitably mean a new approach, especially as so many of Ten Hag's signings were players familiar to him. But without a significant sale or two, it is unlikely to be a case of ripping this squad up and starting again.

Whoever the manager is, the new