No, Manchester United won’t attract any big names this summer – and that’s okay

Failure to secure Champions League football will prevent Manchester United from attracting the big names this summer – but this could actually work in the club’s favour.

Manchester United have just come to the end of a disastrous season which has seen them finish 6th in the Premier League, meaning that they will miss out on Champions League football next season.

According to former Red Gary Neville, this will not impact on who they will be able to sign in the summer transfer window, stating that United “will never move away from being a sensational football club” and therefore will “still attract top-end players”.

However, I think that the 44-year-old is being rather optimistic. Why would top players want to sign for a club that will be playing in the Europa League next season when they could just as easily join Chelsea or Liverpool?

Furthermore, although Manchester United have a rich history, their struggles in recent years suggest that the glory days are well and truly over.

More from Red Devil Armada

• Aaron Wan Bissaka out for ‘several weeks’ with injury
• Manchester United break an unwanted record after Brighton loss
• Sofyan Amrabat set to miss game against Brighton
• Preview: Manchester United vs Brighton – What you need to know
• Jadon Sancho set to train away from first team squad

In the six seasons since Sir Alex Ferguson departed in 2013, the club have finished 7th, 4th, 5th, 6th, 2nd and 6th again. We have to look at the facts and admit that United are not the attractive destination they once were.

Nevertheless, this could actually work in our favour this summer. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will receive backing from the board in the window, but since he won’t be able to sign any big-name players, the money can instead be used to acquire lesser-known talent who could end up being even better.

How many times have the club spent big on players considered to be world class, only for them to flop when they put on a United shirt? Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez are a couple of names that come to mind.

Solskjaer should therefore spread his transfer budget more widely this summer, signing a number of players from the lower leagues in England as well as from the smaller divisions throughout Europe. Who knows, they may uncover a hidden gem.