Darren Fletcher makes worrying Man Utd prediction as club dither in transfer window

Darren Fletcher says if Manchester United don’t bring in new signings they will ‘find it tough’ to finish in the top four this season.

Donny van de Beek remains United’s only summer recruit so far as the transfer window edges closer to slamming shut on Monday, October 5.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top target is Jadon Sancho, but Borussia Dortmund maintain they will not let their prized asset leave, as the Red Devils failed to meet their £108 million valuation by their deadline of August 10.

Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele has been identified as a cheaper alternative, with contact reportedly made with the Catalan club over a loan move for the winger.

However, ex-United midfielder Fletcher feels that if the Manchester club can’t get any further deals done before Monday’s deadline, they will struggle to finish in the Champions League places this season.

‘We know it’s more difficult for Manchester United to sign players, the value goes up, the negotiations are difficult,’ Fletcher told Sky Sports after United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup Round of 16 victory over Brighton on Wednesday night.

‘But at the same time they will be frustrated – Ole, the fans, everybody around the club – by the fact that Chelsea and other teams can do their business early, and that other teams have spent a lot of money already while Manchester United look like they are going to leave it last minute.

‘For me, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, for the job he has done for the club, from where it was to what it is now, deserves the players he wants in.

‘He’s always got the best interests of the club at heart, I know that, but sometimes Ole has to look after himself as well, because he’s going to be judged season on season.

‘People don’t look at the work you’ve done, they want the here and now, and for Manchester United to get to where they want, they need players.

‘They need three, four, five players to get anywhere close to challenging Liverpool. If they don’t recruit, they are going to find it tough to finish top four.

‘I would hate all that pressure and criticism to go on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, because I feel he’s done a fantastic job.

‘The board have to back him. Ole will have identified targets and so will the club. They’ve got five or six days to get him some help and get him some players in.’

MORE: Simon Jordan slams Gary Neville over ‘laughable’ Manchester United transfer criticism

MORE: Jadon Sancho skips Dortmund game in order to force through Manchester United transfer

Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

For more stories like this, check our sport page