Mike Phelan is advising Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Manchester United's summer transfer plans as the club prepares for another rebuild.
Solskjaer and Phelan have spoken about recruiting players who embody the 'United way' of playing amid a transfer strategy change focused on younger targets. United have settled on a preference for young British talent after the split transfer strategy that developed under former manager Jose Mourinho.
The MEN understands Phelan's preference is to reboot the recruitment policy and eschew the superstar strategy United have relied on for much of Ed Woodward's tenure as executive vice-chairman. Solskjaer is believed to be in agreement with Phelan's outlook and there is a determination to recruit without blocking academy talents' pathway to the first-team.
Phelan is still yet to be installed as full-time assistant manager at United but Solskjaer is proceeding under the assumption Phelan will stay at the club beyond the summer. United sources clarified on the day of Solskjaer's full-time appointment they expected Phelan, whom is still contracted to A-League outfit Central Coast Mariners as their sporting director, to remain at Old Trafford. Solskjaer does not want Phelan to assume the inaugural technical director role.
United want 'game-changing' targets who would make a difference to the first-team, as opposed to potential or squad players, and have verbally promised at least three signings. United view Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho as an ideal acquisition due to his age and prowess on the right flank, which United have not strengthened since Wilfried Zaha became Mr. Ferguson's last signing in January 2013.
Sancho, 19, has kept in touch with former colleagues at Manchester City and would relish a return to England's north-west but Dortmund could command a fee in excess of £100million for the England international. Sancho has racked up a combined 25 goals and assists with the German club this season.
Gareth Bale is no longer regarded as an enticing option by United even though he is likely to be attainable in the summer in the wake of Zinedine Zidane's reappointment at Real Madrid. Bale, 29, turns 30 in July and was coveted by former manager Mourinho two years ago but it is understood he is not high up United's list of targets.
United have been monitoring West Ham midfielder Declan Rice, 20, amid the need for a midfield reinforcement as they prepare to lose Ander Herrera on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain. West Ham tied down Rice on a new contract until 2024 in December and the recent England debutant could fetch a fee in excess of £50m. Atletico Madrid linchpin Saul Niguez, 24, switched agents last month and has been tracked by United since David Moyes was the manager.
Antonio Valencia will be released by United upon his contract's expiry date on June 30 and the expected departures of Marcos Rojo and Matteo Darmian could compel United to reinforce their defence at centre-back and full-back.
Solskjaer admitted United face a 'massive few years' after their Champions League humbling by Barcelona, which confirmed a second successive trophyless season for United.
"We know there's work to be done," Solskjaer said. "I've said all along this isn't gonna change overnight and the next few years are gonna be massive for us to get to the level of Barcelona and other teams are at the moment.
"We're on with the job and have spoken to the players about it as well, that we need to get the best out of each other, create an environment of top, top, top class attitude, world-class attitude every single day. Because we've got good players and I've got good players to work with.
"And, as I said, at the moment we've done really, really well to get to the quarters and challenge for the top four. So we've got a rebuilding job but it starts with the coaches and players, and of course one or two additions to the squad will happen in the summer."
