MANCHESTER UNITED are preparing for a major overhaul of their squad this summer – with Blaise Matuidi and Ivan Perisic both in their sights, according to reports.
United boss Jose Mourinho is already plotting his transfer business as he attempts to turn the club into title contenders once more.
The Champions League exit at the hands of Sevilla last week have highlighted just how far short United are in terms of quality in their squad.
And according to the Mail there are already targets on the shortlist this summer with the futures of Anthony Martial and Juan Mata in doubt.
The prospect of huge changes in the squad at Old Trafford is so obvious that United players are speaking openly about what may happen.
Striker Romelu Lukaku said: “We are Manchester United, we have to improve every year and I know that a lot of players, a lot of good players, will come in next summer that’s for sure.
“That is something I look forward to, in order to improve the squad, and what the manager also looks forward to because next year we have to win.
“We will have to try and win as many trophies as we can.”
United boss Mourinho has spoken openly about the fact that if the club want to compere with Manchester City, they have to rival their spending power.
That comes on the back of the club splashing out £89million for Paul Pogba, £75m on Lukaku and then coughing up £350,000-a-week wages on Alexis Sanchez.
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Midfield and defence are both areas of concern, and Juventus star Matuidi is a leading target of Mourinho to come into the holding role.
Another player in that position United are watching is Shaktar Donetsk star Fred, who is also attracting the interest of City and Paris Saint-Germain.
And Mourinho is also considering reviving his long-term interest in Perisic having tried hard to sign him last summer.
But having come up so short of City in the league this season, and also exited Europe earlier than hoped, the exit could be approaching several current United stars.
Juan Mata has been a regular member of the matchday squad this season, but the emergence of Jesse Lingard has seen him become a more peripheral figure,
While Anthony Martial is still thought to be struggling to convince the United boss he has the application and tactical discipline in his game he is looking for.
Defenders Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind are also vulnerable having struggled to command regular match action this season.
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