Tottenham and Arsenal transfer comments spell out situation facing Manchester United this summer

As far as summers and transfer windows go, this one is as big as it gets for Manchester United.

Ruben Amorim is at the beginning of a long-term project at Old Trafford, but the shortcomings of last season only served to underscore the scale of the task the Portuguese coach now faces. While some of those issues can be addressed on the training ground, others will require reinforcements as the manager looks to make his mark on the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag in November.

Some positive additions have already been made, including the arrival of Matheus Cunha from Wolves. United’s ability to attract Bryan Mbeumo ahead of their rivals is testament to the vision Amorim is able to present to prospective signings, although fans are still waiting for a deal to be struck with Brentford to bring the 25-year-old to the north west.

That said, there is one major factor United are lacking this summer that could influence their ability to land further top targets as the window progresses. They have no Champions League football - or any European football for that matter.

Despite United’s dismal Premier League campaign, they had a golden opportunity by the end of May to right some of those wrongs and secure a surprise return to the Champions League. The Europa League final against Tottenham presented a potential lifeline, but it was an opportunity Amorim’s side failed to grasp, falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat against their domestic rivals.

Ironically, Spurs found themselves in a bizarrely similar position last term. In fact, the London club finished below United in 17th place, yet will compete in the Champions League next season thanks to their European heroics.

While the absence of European football may not have drastically