Manchester United head into a critical summer with confusion continuing to reign over their transfer strategy.

Within football circles there has been long-held uncertainty over who is in control of player recruitment. And that remains the case despite Ed Woodward's attempts to dramatically revamp the club's transfer operations.

Less than two weeks before the end of the Premier League season, he is still to appoint a technical director.

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been working on identifying key targets – the Norwegian's choices can still be vetoed by United's recruitment department, which proved such a frustration to Jose Mourinho in his final months at Old Trafford.

A technical director was supposed to smooth that process – but in a summer when Man United are desperate to close the gap on Manchester City and Liverpool, as well as give Solskjaer a flying start to his reign, that key appointment is still to be made.

Man Utd's Transfer Window shortlist 12 show all Man Utd's Transfer Window shortlist 1/12 The key targets on Man Utd’s transfer wishlist… Getty Images 2/12 Aaron Wan-Bissaka Right back, Crystal Palace



A long-term target – but United are well stocked at right back for next season with Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot. Getty images 3/12 Daniel James Winger, Swansea City



Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful a deal for the Swansea winger will be agreed imminently - telling Ed Woodward he wants his summer business to be concluded by July 1.



It is believed the fee for the 21-year-old could rise to between £15-20million with add-ons. Getty Images 4/12 Sean Longstaff Midfielder, Newcastle United



Longstaff fits perfectly into United's new transfer strategy of building for the long term. Getty Images 5/12 Harry Maguire Centre back, Leicester City



Jose Mourinho targeted the Leicester City defender last summer as part of his desperate search for a top class centre back.



Now Ole Gunnar Solskjær could reignite that pursuit after being given the go ahead by Ed Woodward to pay a club record fee for a defender this summer. REUTERS/Phil Noble 6/12 Idrissa Gueye Defensive midfield, Everton



The Senegalese midfielder, who was the subject of a January bid from Paris Saint-Germain, is now being considered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as replacement for Ander Herrera. Stu Forster/Getty Images 7/12 Jadon Sancho Winger, Borussia Dortmund



The England international and former Man City man has been identified as one of Man Utd’s top targets in the next transfer window, with a source claiming: “They are doing everything they can to sign him.”



And despite Dortmund’s public stance that he is not for sale at any price – a bid in excess of £80m is expected to be enough to lure him to Old Trafford. Bongarts/Getty Images 8/12 Declan Rice Defensive midfield, West Ham



Also being monitored by City, he could be the long-term successor to Nemanja Matic or even the Michael Carrick replacement United have been looking for. REUTERS 9/12 Callum Hudson-Odoi Winger, Chelsea



The Chelsea starlet could be an alternative to Sancho if Borussia Dortmund hold firm on their stance that Sancho is not for sale. PA 10/12 Bruno Fernandes Midfielder, Sporting Lisbon



Sporting Lisbon’s free-scoring midfielder could cost as much as £90m – but would add energy and goals to United’s engine room. AFP/Getty Images 11/12 Kalidou Koulibaly Centre back, Napoli



The long-term preferred choice at centre back – but Napoli have so far resisted United’s approaches for the Senegal defender. REUTERS 12/12 Raphael Varane Centre back, Real Madrid



United were prepared to spend £100m on the Real Madrid defender last summer and will monitor his situation at the Bernabeu amid suggestions he is ready for a new challenge. EPA 1/12 The key targets on Man Utd’s transfer wishlist… Getty Images 2/12 Aaron Wan-Bissaka Right back, Crystal Palace



A long-term target – but United are well stocked at right back for next season with Ashley Young and Diogo Dalot. Getty images 3/12 Daniel James Winger, Swansea City



Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hopeful a deal for the Swansea winger will be agreed imminently - telling Ed Woodward he wants his summer business to be concluded by July 1.



It is believed the fee for the 21-year-old could rise to between £15-20million with add-ons. Getty Images 4/12 Sean Longstaff Midfielder, Newcastle United



Longstaff fits perfectly into United's new transfer strategy of building for the long term. Getty Images 5/12 Harry Maguire Centre back, Leicester City



Jose Mourinho targeted the Leicester City defender last summer as part of his desperate search for a top class centre back.



Now Ole Gunnar Solskjær could reignite that pursuit after being given the go ahead by Ed Woodward to pay a club record fee for a defender this summer. REUTERS/Phil Noble 6/12 Idrissa Gueye Defensive midfield, Everton



The Senegalese midfielder, who was the subject of a January bid from Paris Saint-Germain, is now being considered by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as replacement for Ander Herrera. Stu Forster/Getty Images 7/12 Jadon Sancho Winger, Borussia Dortmund



The England international and former Man City man has been identified as one of Man Utd’s top targets in the next transfer window, with a source claiming: “They are doing everything they can to sign him.”



And despite Dortmund’s public stance that he is not for sale at any price – a bid in excess of £80m is expected to be enough to lure him to Old Trafford. Bongarts/Getty Images 8/12 Declan Rice Defensive midfield, West Ham



Also being monitored by City, he could be the long-term successor to Nemanja Matic or even the Michael Carrick replacement United have been looking for. REUTERS 9/12 Callum Hudson-Odoi Winger, Chelsea



The Chelsea starlet could be an alternative to Sancho if Borussia Dortmund hold firm on their stance that Sancho is not for sale. PA 10/12 Bruno Fernandes Midfielder, Sporting Lisbon



Sporting Lisbon’s free-scoring midfielder could cost as much as £90m – but would add energy and goals to United’s engine room. AFP/Getty Images 11/12 Kalidou Koulibaly Centre back, Napoli



The long-term preferred choice at centre back – but Napoli have so far resisted United’s approaches for the Senegal defender. REUTERS 12/12 Raphael Varane Centre back, Real Madrid



United were prepared to spend £100m on the Real Madrid defender last summer and will monitor his situation at the Bernabeu amid suggestions he is ready for a new challenge. EPA

It has left agents and intermediaries unsure of who to approach in United's hierarchy at a time when transfer planning would traditionally be well underway.

The decision to alter the requirements of the role of technical director will have played a part in the delay.

Having originally assessed leading figures on the continent, Woodward then placed, what has been described internally, as a cultural filter over the appointment process.

Increasingly there has been an anticipation that the job will go to an internal candidate or someone with strong links to United.

Mike Phelan has been strongly considered – and he is keen on the role.

A sticking point is Solskjaer's determination to keep his number two by his side as a trusted sounding board and influential figure on the training ground.

It's believed a dual role has been floated. But the practicalities of Phelan being both Solskjaer's assistant and also taking up a more senior role in the club's management structure, would be fraught with difficulty.

For example, what would happen if Solskjaer were sacked? Would Phelan just step away and continue his duties as technical director to the next manager?

The belief is Woodward wants a dedicated appointment that is seen to be crucial to avoiding the issues that arose during Mourinho's final transfer window when he shocked scouts by ripping up a list of agreed targets and presenting them with new ones midway through the summer.

His pursuit of players like Jerome Boateng, Yerry Mina and Ivan Perisic were vetoed – sparking the beginning of the end of his tenure.

While there is an element of working backwards by appointing a technical director after already installing a new manager, Woodward wants the candidate to share Solskjaer's core values, which are true to the traditions of the club.

The Man Utd players who should leave… and the ones they cannot lose 27 show all The Man Utd players who should leave… and the ones they cannot lose 1/27 Our Manchester Football Correspondent James Robson considers which Man Utd players should leave this summer… 2/27 David de Gea Can United really afford to risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season. If he won’t sign a new deal this summer, it might be time to cash in.



VERDICT: Sell (if he doesn’t sign) Getty Images 3/27 Sergio Romero Probably the best reserve keeper in the Premier League. Never lets United down – and would have a case to be No1 if De Gea goes.



VERDICT: Keep PA 4/27 Lee Grant Third choice keeper, who allows the highly-rated Joel Pereira to get experience on loan.



VERDICT: Keep Manchester United via Getty Images 5/27 Joel Pereira There are great hopes for him, but needs regular game-time to establish himself.



VERDICT: Loan AFP/Getty Images 6/27 Victor Lindelof One of United’s most improved players this season and someone Solskjaer should look to make the bedrock of his rebuild. Needs a top class partner to bring the best out of him.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 7/27 Eric Bailly So much hope for him when he arrived, but a debilitating injury record, along with his rash decision-making have curtailed his progress.



VERDICT: Sell Man Utd via Getty Images 8/27 Phil Jones Just signed a new long-term contract – and despite widespread derision, remains a valuable squad member.



VERDICT: Keep Man Utd via Getty Images 9/27 Chris Smalling Like Jones, eyebrows were raised when he was handed a new deal, but has impressed alongside Lindelof and remains an effective option.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 10/27 Marcos Rojo Woeful injury record and has failed to convince on the increasingly rare occasions he makes it onto the pitch. Long contract and high wages make him difficult to offload.



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 11/27 Ashley Young His form has fallen off a cliff since signing his new contract recently. Can only be considered as back-up full back next season.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 12/27 Diogo Dalot Has shown promise – particularly as an attacking option this season – but remains raw defensively. United’s interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka points to his failure to establish himself.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 13/27 Antonio Valencia Out of contract and on the way out. It has been a miserable final chapter for the winger-turned-right back as a virtual spectator this season.



VERDICT: Release AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Luke Shaw Has probably enjoyed his most consistent season. Still developing and should establish himself as one of the best left backs in Europe, given his natural talent.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/27 Matteo Darmian There’s an argument to say he’d be better back-up Young. But United could get decent money for a player who has rarely been anything other than a fringe member of the squad.



VERDICT: Sell PA 16/27 Ander Herrera He’s out of contract and on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. Would have been worth keeping – but not on a weekly wage of around £200,000-a-week.



VERDICT: Release Getty Images 17/27 Paul Pogba He’s not consistent enough, but he’s a player to build the team around. At his best, he’s proven he’s world class – he just needs the quality around him.



VERDICT: Keep PA 18/27 Juan Mata United have never seen the player who was so effective for Chelsea. Had his moments, but just too slow to fit in with Solskjaer’s plans. Out of contract, it’s time to go.



VERDICT: Release REUTERS 19/27 Andreas Pereira United have triggered a one-year extension on his contract, so now it’s up to him to prove he deserves a longer deal.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 20/27 Fred So far his greatest contribution to United has been the fact that his name conveniently fits into ‘Ole’s at the wheel.’ By any reasonable measure, you’d be looking to sell on the basis of his first season, but Solskjaer can’t get rid of everyone.



VERDICT: Keep (for now) Getty Images 21/27 Nemanja Matic Looks to be in decline and turns 31 in August. Can do a job, but questionable whether he can be a regular starter next season.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 22/27 Scott McTominay Has shown glimpses of the potential United’s coaches have long seen in him. Definitely a decent option next season, if not yet ready to be part of Solskjaer’s strongest midfield.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 23/27 Jesse Lingard Has made his critics eat their words. Fast, good touch, eye for goal and versatile – he offers so much to United’s attack and is only likely to get better.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 24/27 Alexis Sanchez His move from Arsenal has been little short of a disaster. An injury-plagued campaign haven’t helped – but he’s looked miles off the pace whenever he’s stepped onto the pitch.



United desperately need to find someone to take him off their hands – but on £450,000-a-week…



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 25/27 Romelu Lukaku Still has a decent strike rate and will take some replacing – but he just doesn’t fit Solskjaer’s system.



United would hope to get close to the £75m he cost them – but how far will that money go when it comes to finding a striker good enough to lead their attack?



VERDICT: Sell AFP/Getty Images 26/27 Marcus Rashford Has established himself as Solskjaer’s leading man – but desperately needs to improve his finishing and decision making. So much and technique on the ball, but doesn’t look like a natural goal-scorer yet.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 27/27 Anthony Martial For a spell this season he looked every bit the heir to Thierry Henry that he was once considered. But Solskjaer has rarely been able to get a tune out of him and is frustrated by his failure to score ugly goals. Still, he has tremendous potential.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 1/27 Our Manchester Football Correspondent James Robson considers which Man Utd players should leave this summer… 2/27 David de Gea Can United really afford to risk losing him for nothing at the end of next season. If he won’t sign a new deal this summer, it might be time to cash in.



VERDICT: Sell (if he doesn’t sign) Getty Images 3/27 Sergio Romero Probably the best reserve keeper in the Premier League. Never lets United down – and would have a case to be No1 if De Gea goes.



VERDICT: Keep PA 4/27 Lee Grant Third choice keeper, who allows the highly-rated Joel Pereira to get experience on loan.



VERDICT: Keep Manchester United via Getty Images 5/27 Joel Pereira There are great hopes for him, but needs regular game-time to establish himself.



VERDICT: Loan AFP/Getty Images 6/27 Victor Lindelof One of United’s most improved players this season and someone Solskjaer should look to make the bedrock of his rebuild. Needs a top class partner to bring the best out of him.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 7/27 Eric Bailly So much hope for him when he arrived, but a debilitating injury record, along with his rash decision-making have curtailed his progress.



VERDICT: Sell Man Utd via Getty Images 8/27 Phil Jones Just signed a new long-term contract – and despite widespread derision, remains a valuable squad member.



VERDICT: Keep Man Utd via Getty Images 9/27 Chris Smalling Like Jones, eyebrows were raised when he was handed a new deal, but has impressed alongside Lindelof and remains an effective option.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 10/27 Marcos Rojo Woeful injury record and has failed to convince on the increasingly rare occasions he makes it onto the pitch. Long contract and high wages make him difficult to offload.



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 11/27 Ashley Young His form has fallen off a cliff since signing his new contract recently. Can only be considered as back-up full back next season.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 12/27 Diogo Dalot Has shown promise – particularly as an attacking option this season – but remains raw defensively. United’s interest in Aaron Wan-Bissaka points to his failure to establish himself.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 13/27 Antonio Valencia Out of contract and on the way out. It has been a miserable final chapter for the winger-turned-right back as a virtual spectator this season.



VERDICT: Release AFP/Getty Images 14/27 Luke Shaw Has probably enjoyed his most consistent season. Still developing and should establish himself as one of the best left backs in Europe, given his natural talent.



VERDICT: Keep REUTERS 15/27 Matteo Darmian There’s an argument to say he’d be better back-up Young. But United could get decent money for a player who has rarely been anything other than a fringe member of the squad.



VERDICT: Sell PA 16/27 Ander Herrera He’s out of contract and on his way to Paris Saint-Germain. Would have been worth keeping – but not on a weekly wage of around £200,000-a-week.



VERDICT: Release Getty Images 17/27 Paul Pogba He’s not consistent enough, but he’s a player to build the team around. At his best, he’s proven he’s world class – he just needs the quality around him.



VERDICT: Keep PA 18/27 Juan Mata United have never seen the player who was so effective for Chelsea. Had his moments, but just too slow to fit in with Solskjaer’s plans. Out of contract, it’s time to go.



VERDICT: Release REUTERS 19/27 Andreas Pereira United have triggered a one-year extension on his contract, so now it’s up to him to prove he deserves a longer deal.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 20/27 Fred So far his greatest contribution to United has been the fact that his name conveniently fits into ‘Ole’s at the wheel.’ By any reasonable measure, you’d be looking to sell on the basis of his first season, but Solskjaer can’t get rid of everyone.



VERDICT: Keep (for now) Getty Images 21/27 Nemanja Matic Looks to be in decline and turns 31 in August. Can do a job, but questionable whether he can be a regular starter next season.



VERDICT: Keep Action Images via Reuters 22/27 Scott McTominay Has shown glimpses of the potential United’s coaches have long seen in him. Definitely a decent option next season, if not yet ready to be part of Solskjaer’s strongest midfield.



VERDICT: Keep AFP/Getty Images 23/27 Jesse Lingard Has made his critics eat their words. Fast, good touch, eye for goal and versatile – he offers so much to United’s attack and is only likely to get better.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 24/27 Alexis Sanchez His move from Arsenal has been little short of a disaster. An injury-plagued campaign haven’t helped – but he’s looked miles off the pace whenever he’s stepped onto the pitch.



United desperately need to find someone to take him off their hands – but on £450,000-a-week…



VERDICT: Sell Getty Images 25/27 Romelu Lukaku Still has a decent strike rate and will take some replacing – but he just doesn’t fit Solskjaer’s system.



United would hope to get close to the £75m he cost them – but how far will that money go when it comes to finding a striker good enough to lead their attack?



VERDICT: Sell AFP/Getty Images 26/27 Marcus Rashford Has established himself as Solskjaer’s leading man – but desperately needs to improve his finishing and decision making. So much and technique on the ball, but doesn’t look like a natural goal-scorer yet.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images 27/27 Anthony Martial For a spell this season he looked every bit the heir to Thierry Henry that he was once considered. But Solskjaer has rarely been able to get a tune out of him and is frustrated by his failure to score ugly goals. Still, he has tremendous potential.



VERDICT: Keep Getty Images

United are in agreement with a move to recruit younger, British talent as a long-term strategy.

Jadon Sancho, Declan Rice, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Callum Hudson-Odoi all fit that profile.

Phelan is in tune with that approach – hence his suitability for a role that will include assessing the brightest prospects from the academy before identifying targets in the market.

It's notable that Woodward and Solskjaer have kept Phelan firmly included in the planning for this summer, which would not necessarily be the case for an assistant.

The club are also exploring a role for Darren Fletcher – and the former midfielder has been spotted recently at their AON training complex, as well as Old Trafford.

Rio Ferdinand's link with the position of technical director also has foundation.

He has a good relationship with Woodward and it is not unusual for the pair to meet.

Ferdinand also has a strong connection with United's most recent successes and remains a high profile figure in the sport.

His public urges for United to sign players like John Stones and Jadon Sancho would also give supporters encouragement that the scattergun approach to the transfer market in recent years would be left behind.

It's believed issues over him taking the job relate to his existing role as a BT Sport pundit, as well as the potential uprooting of his family back to the North West of England.

Whether they could be resolved in time for him to be in place and play an active role in the upcoming transfer window remains to be seen.

Likewise a compromise over Phelan's role.

Solskjaer's priority is to carry out the 'ruthless' overhaul he is planning after United's dramatic collapse in the final weeks of the season.

But the fact that he is set to embark on potentially the club's record spend in one window – well in excess of £200m – without a technical director's input, is a measure of the ongoing confusion at Old Trafford.