At Manchester United over the past few weeks, there has been one word used a lot regarding their summer transfer plans, and it is not “Griezmann”. It is, instead, “warriors”.

Jose Mourinho wants to imbue his United side with a deeper fighting intensity next season, especially in midfield and defence. He wants to bring in at least two types of players that fit that description, with Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko and Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez both fine examples.

One issue is that the United hierarchy may have to show similar steel themselves, especially if they are to come through with all their plans, and really bring the team on. That will also require bringing their approach to the market on, not least in attempting to keep David De Gea.

Who could replace David De Gea at United? Show all 12 1 /12 Who could replace David De Gea at United? Who could replace David De Gea at United? Who could replace David de Gea? David de Gea has been linked with a return to Spain this summer. But who could United sign to replace the talented 26-year-old? Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Samir Handanović The experienced Slovenian has long been linked with a move to these shores and would be available for significantly less than many of the other names on this list. A solid, if slightly unspectacular, choice to replace De Gea. Getty Images Who could replace David De Gea at United? Gianluigi Donnarumma The 18-year-old is regarded as the best young goalkeeper in the world, having broke into the AC Milan first-team last season. The player is represented by Mino Raiola, which is a promising sign for United. Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Keylor Navas Real Madrid's original plan to buy David de Gea involved sending Keylor Navas to Old Trafford, something which could well transpire this summer. Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Kasper Schmeichel The Leicester goalkeeper has enjoyed another superb season even as his team has struggled and would be a popular signing, given his father's history with the club. Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Hugo Lloris Spurs wouldn't let their captain leave without a fight, but Lloris recently refused to rule out a move away from White Hart Lane, claiming he would only stay at the club for as long as Mauricio Pochettino was coach. Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Jan Oblak The Slovenian international is widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world. However it is difficult to see Atletico selling both Oblak and Antoine Griezmann to United this summer. Bongarts/Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Jasper Cillessen Repeatedly linked with a move to Manchester during Louis van Gaal's reign, Cillessen has made just 1 La Liga appearance since quitting Ajax for Barcelona. Would likely be a more affordable option. Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Ederson Manchester City are thought to be leading the race to sign Benfica's Ederson. But with United also in need of a new keeper, it would not be surprising if United attempted to hijack the deal. Bongarts/Getty Images Who could replace David De Gea at United? Bernd Leno Still only 25, Leverkusen goalkeeper Leno is regarded as the eventual heir to Manuel Neuer in goal for Germany. A fine shot stopper. Bongarts/Getty Who could replace David De Gea at United? Diego Alves The 31-year-old has repeatedly been linked with a move to Untied over the years. If Jose Mourinho is unable to land other targets, he may well turn to the Brazilian veteran. Getty Images Who could replace David De Gea at United? Jack Butland Butland's brilliant form at the end of 2015 saw him tipped to replace De Gea at United. An ankle injury meant he dropped off the radar somewhat, but with the player close to a return to action, United could make their move this summer. Getty Images

Last summer, after all, was at last an undoubted success for the club - and arguably their most successful summer since 2012 or even 2007. United got all their main targets, got most of them in quickly, and the one that didn’t arrive quickly - Paul Pogba - was the signing successfully turned into the kind of commercial event that made the very purchase an end in itself, while also seeing them lay the important signpost of beating Real Madrid to by breaking the world record in the process.

It marked a significant change from previous windows under executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, and it was difficult not to put a lot of that down to Mourinho’s forensic approach to transfers, and the relative freedom he had finally been given with them to apply his own considerable presence.

The plans for this summer have not quite allowed any of that yet, and they don’t look like they’re going to be too forensic right now, even if it is still only March. Club sources say United that - beyond the general desire to bring in a top-class forward, two midfielders, a defender and a winger, two of whom are "warriors" - their specific priorities had been Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid and raid on Monaco for two of Fabinho, Bakayoko and Kylian Mbappe. There's a bit of difficulty with all of that at the moment.

The Griezmann situation is ever-changing, however, and could end up even more convoluted than the Pogba saga. Right now, it feels 50-50, as it could really go either way. There are also few obvious alternative buyable options of the required standard, although Mourinho is also said to admire Torino’s Andrea Belotti.

Fabinho is still a strong candidate to come but United now face considerable competition from Chelsea for Bakayoko, and considerable competition from the rest of the world for Mbappe - one of the players who could be an alternative, and perhaps an inevitable superior, to Griezmann. Real Madrid have already been laying it on particularly thick for the 18-year-old, with even captain Sergio Ramos talking up the prospect, and it remains to be seen how hard the European champions will go for De Gea too.

Manchester United injury and suspension list Show all 8 1 /8 Manchester United injury and suspension list Manchester United injury and suspension list Phil Jones (toe) Defender suffered a broken toe after a challenge from United teammate Chris Smalling during England training, and is not yet ready to return. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Chris Smalling (knee) Limped out of England training a few days after Jones and is unlikely to recover in time. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Marcos Rojo (knee) Suffered a serious knee injury and will miss the rest of the season. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Zlatan Ibrahimovic (knee) Ruptured his cruciate ligament in the win over Anderlecht and will miss up to nine months, ruling him out for the rest of 2017. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Juan Mata (groin) Underwent surgery on his groin in March but Mourinho is hopeful he will return before the end of the season. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Paul Pogba (muscle) Will miss the Manchester derby with a muscular injury after suffering fatigue from playing two games in two days. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list James Wilson (ACL) The striker suffered an ACL injury that will keep him out of the entire season. Getty Manchester United injury and suspension list Ander Herrera (ankle) Picked up an ankle knock in the win over Burnley but expected to be fit for the Manchester derby. Getty

This is the other aspect complicating United’s summer plans. Just at the point when they are marking themselves out as one of the properly big fish of the market - the “sharks”, to use Mourinho’s own word - and have one of the best goalkeepers in the world who you would never want to replace, they may again face the prospect of losing him to the biggest shark of all in Real. It would arguably create all the greater a need for a marquee name, given how important commercial perceptions are to hierarchy now, and how key that is to their business plans. United have at least started investigating replacements in Internazionale’s Samir Handanovic and Milan’s highly-rated Gianluigi Donnarumma. The latter is likely to be a marquee name in future no matter what happens.

One card that may tilt things, though, is that Mourinho remains such a huge admirer of his former Real player Raphael Varane. The Portuguese sees him as ideal for that defence, and a potential alternative to Gimenez, if one more difficult to buy. That could provide leverage if De Gea is intent on leaving, and United want to play hardball with Real.

As it is, their transfer plans are a little open-ended. Mourinho and his team will continue to survey the situation until the end of the season, and how they finish that season could itself dictate things. Champions League qualification would help, especially with some of the bigger names, but is not essential.