There's still plenty to play for in the Premier League this season, but Manchester United already have one eye on next year and beyond.

It's an exciting time at Old Trafford: Sir Jim Ratcliffe is now in charge of sporting operations after acquiring a minority stake in the club and he and his Ineos team are already working hard in a bid to build a structure of world-class talent behind the scenes to help engineer success on the pitch.

While speculation over Erik ten Hag's future continues to rumble on in the background, recruitment plans are already taking shape behind the scenes. Investment in the playing squad is a given regardless of who is at the helm and Ratcliffe has already expressed a desire to move away from substantial transfer deals for ageing players.

Ahead of this weekend's big match against Brentford and the build-up to the summer, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest news from in and around Old Trafford...

Ratcliffe finalises transfer plans

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to strengthen in the centre-back, right-back and striker positions this summer as the Ineos chief begins to plan in the earnest for life beyond the 2023/24 campaign.

A host of potential targets have already been linked with United in recent weeks given that Ratcliffe has already vowed to invest in the current playing squad.

It has now emerged that the British billionaire wants to bolster United's defensive options, both centrally and at right-back, as well as signing a striker to ease the goalscoring burden on Rasmus Hojlund, who has finally started to find form.

Read all about Ratcliffe's summer transfer plans in full right here!

New £17m target emerges

Join the debate! What do Man Utd need to do in the summer transfer window? Let us know here.

Jhon Lucumi is on Manchester United's radar (
Image:
Ivan Romano)

Bologna's highly-rated centre-back Jhon Lucumi has emerged as a target for both Manchester United and Atletico Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.

The Colombia international, 25, has impressed in Italy this season and played a starring role in wins over Spain and Romania during the international break - and his imperious displays have not gone unnoticed elsewhere in Europe.

It's been reported by TuttoMercato that United and Atletico have already inquired about Lucumi, who is currently valued at around €20million (£17.1m) by his club.

United angry with Hannibal treatment

Hannibal Mejbri has barely played for Sevilla since joining them on loan in January (
Image:
Getty Images)

Manchester United are far from impressed with Sevilla's handling of Hannibal Mejbri since the midfielder joined the La Liga outfit on loan in January.

The Tunisia international, 21, was a long-term target for Sevilla, who made an initial move to sign him last summer. After staying put, Hannibal joined them in the final days of the winter transfer window but has hardly featured in the first-team.

Sevilla head coach Quique Sanchez Flores also appeared to take aim at the youngster shortly after his arrival - and United are not happy with how Hannibal has been handled over the past few months.

Find out why Man Utd are unhappy with the Hannibal situation here!

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