David Moyes flew to Spain, Italy, France and Germany to scout potential Manchester United signings in January, yet it is looking doubtful he will have the chance to buy them in the summer.
United are on course for their worst season since 1988-89 and already Jürgen Klopp and Louis van Gaal's names have been mentioned as possible successors to Moyes.
The Scot's Evertonian standards have contributed to a flat, uninspiring and insipid campaign which peaked on the opening day of the season at Swansea. The owners, players and Ed Woodward are also culpable, but the nadir in Athens perhaps highlighted just how incongruous a choice Moyes was to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson.
Roy Keane says United need "five or six players" and few would disagree. They needed four last summer and brought in one. They have invested over £100 million on two No.10s this year in Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney, while Shinji Kagawa and Robin van Persie, bought by Ferguson to spearhead the team's attack in the future, might not even be in Manchester next season.
Depending on who you believe, United's transfer kitty ranges from £100m to £200m. Moyes lamented the lack of "world class players" as far back as September, so he will probably have to spend over £100m to restore United's credentials.
Here are six players United need to turn their fortunes around...
United transfer targets
(01 of06)
Open Image ModalİLKAY GÜNDOĞANOut injured since August, Moyes was keen on Gündoğan last summer but the Borussia Dortmund midfielder was regarded as unobtainable. The Germany international, however, is out of contract at the end of next season and Dortmund's chastening campaign would represent an ideal time to leave.Robert Lewandowski's free transfer to Bayern could also mean Borussia have to sell one of their assets, and Gündoğan's absence from the team over the last six months offsets the damage somewhat, even though he is their best central midfielder. It is reported Gündoğan, 23, has a €25m buy-out clause, which triggered Mario Götze's transfer from Dortmund to Bayern. (credit:PA)
(02 of06)
Open Image ModalTONI KROOSWatched twice by Moyes this year already, Kroos has been warned by Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer "not to overplay his hand" as he holds out for a salary which the German icon says is "through the roof". Out of contract in 2015 and regarded as something of a distant figure in the Bayern camp, Kroos, 24, proved his worth with a midfield masterclass at Arsenal and is more urgent than the ponderous and ageing Michael Carrick. (credit:PA)
(03 of06)
Open Image ModalLUKE SHAWShaw is likely to cost £25m and, as a Chelsea fan, is believed to prefer a switch to Stamford Bridge, so United will have to act with alacrity if they are to tempt the teenage left-back to the north-west. Shaw would be the ideal long-term replacement for the culpable Patrice Evra, which would justify the admittedly lofty price tag for such an 18-year-old defender. Atlético Madrid's Filipe Luís and Real Madrid's Fabio Coentrão are the alternatives. (credit:PA)
(04 of06)
Open Image ModalMARCO REUSAn unrealistic prospect, Reus' £35m buy-out clause kicks in in 2015 and Dortmund will not be under pressure to sell two of their best players in the same summer.However, if United have such vast funds then their money would be well spent on one of Europe's best wingers. Adnan Januzaj aside, United's wingers consist of Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, the injured Nani and the on-loan Wilfried Zaha. Two of those four should be sold in the summer and Nani, apparently, "wants out". (credit:Getty Images)
(05 of06)
Open Image ModalRAPHAËL VARANEThe Frenchman rejected United in 2011 and after two excellent seasons at Real Madrid has lost his place in the side.It is hardly cause for panic but at United he would be a certain starter and, at 20, is at the right age to lead the club's revival and form a partnership with either Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling or Phil Jones. (credit:Getty Images)
(06 of06)
Open Image ModalJAN VERTONGHENVertonghen said on Sunday he would consider his future at Tottenham at the end of the season. Gallingly, for United, it is because he has not played in the Champions League for two years.Versatile (without it being a back-handed compliment), Vertonghen would offer steel in midfield and experience at centre-back. Also decent at left-back, he would provide much-needed cover and allow United to sell competition winner Alexander Büttner. (credit:PA)