Manchester United set to advance with transfer negotiations after Erik ten Hag appointment

Manchester United are set to progress with negotiations for certain transfer targets now Erik ten Hag has been appointed their next manager.

United have already begun working on a deal for Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips, valued at between £50million and £60m. The United director of football negotiations Matt Judge is understood to have enquired about a young Premier League striker as the club seeks a younger option up front.

Declan Rice has been monitored by United for nearly four years and expressed interest in joining the club last year but is valued at £150m by West Ham. The probable lack of Champions League football at United could also prove to be prohibitive, especially if West Ham qualify through winning the Europa League.

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Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres remains of interest to United, having been their second-choice target after Raphael Varane last year. United held exploratory talks with representatives of the out-of-contract Chelsea defender Antonio Rudier but he is expected to move elsewhere.

Agents have recommended leftfield central defensive alternatives, mindful United could be restricted by the profile of player they are reduced to recruiting if they drop back into the Europa League.

United are wary of signing Eredivisie-based players after the struggles of Memphis Depay and Donny van de Beek, bought from PSV Eindhoven and Ajax. Van de Beek could receive a lifeline as he prepares to reunite with his former Ajax coach Ten Hag.

Ten Hag is expected to be sufficiently supported in the window amid the likelihood United finish outside the top four. United's three most extravagant summer transfer windows were in