Manchester United’s summer transfer plans could be affected by pandemic, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Solskjaer says transfer preparations continuing as normal for now

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that Manchester United's summer transfer plans may be affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, even though preparations for the next window are continuing as normal at present.

United did not focus on incomings during the recent January window, instead allowing several fringe players to leave Old Trafford and seek first team football elsewhere.

Marcos Rojo and Timothy Fosu-Mensah secured permanent moves to Boca Juniors and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, while Jesse Lingard has made an impressive start to a loan spell at West Ham.

Read more: Manchester United pair Phil Jones and Sergio Romero return to Premier League squad

United typically begin to finalise summer targets at this time of year and despite performing above expectations in the Premier League this season, Solskjaer still believes he will need to bolster his squad before the start of next season.

The United manager conceded, however, that the financial impact of the pandemic may have a bearing on what the club is able to do in the market.

“I still think we’re doing the same planning, preparation but of course the pandemic has changed the market and it’s changed the world and it might affect what we can do,” Solskjaer said.

“We just have to see where we’re at in the next few months of course but we’re looking at players and targets as we normally would do.

“We have done some very good business in the last few windows I feel and it’s not like it’s wholesale changes we need to make, it’s the odd contribution and addition to the squad.”

Premier League clubs spent just £70m in the January transfer window, the lowest total since 2012, while the number of loan deals and free transfers increased. Clubs in Europe’s other major leagues also limited their spending.

United may look to revive their failed pursuit of Jadon Sancho, the Borussia Dortmund winger, when the window reopens.

The Old Trafford hierarchy failed to meet Dortmund’s €120m asking price last summer, though reports in Germany earlier this week suggest that the Bundesliga club will be open to lowering their demands this summer.