Manchester United fans will expect their club to spend big once again in the summer in order to close the gap on Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea.The Red Devils are currently two thirds of the way through an extremely disappointing campaign and have their work cut out to secure a top-four finish.Some fans and pundits alike expected a serious Premier League title challenge following the signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane; however, it soon became clear that Man Utd were miles off.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was eventually sacked and replaced by Ralf Rangnick, who’s in charge of the team on an interim basis until the end of the season.The respected German tactician is poised to move into a consultancy role at Old Trafford this summer, while another coach will be appointed as the club’s manager on a permanent basis.Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag remain the frontrunners for the job.

Rangnick's response to Man Utd fan about summer 'targets'

Whether Rangnick will have any say on which players are signed is currently unclear, but the United caretaker boss sounded doubtful about the club’s ability to sign a trio of stars this summer when the subject was raised by a fan.

Footage after Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw against Watford shows a fan saying to Rangnick: “There’s three big names to come in the summer: [Jules] Kounde, [Declan] Rice and [Erling] Haaland.”

Rangnick replied: “Who?”

The fan then repeated the three names and Rangnick said: "What are you dreaming at night?"

Watch the footage here:

At least he’s honest.

Still, most United fans would take any one of these players this summer.

Kounde, the Sevilla and France defender, is one of the most promising centre-backs in Europe.

SEVILLE, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 11: Jules Kounde of Sevilla FC competes for the ball with Pere Milla of Elche CF during the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Elche CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on February 11, 2022 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Rice, another 23-year-old, is one of the Premier League’s best midfielders.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 13: Declan Rice of West Ham United acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

And Haaland, a generational talent with the potential to become one of the best strikers in history, looks destined for a mega money move away from Borussia Dortmund in the near future.

DORTMUND, GERMANY - DECEMBER 15: Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund celebrates scoring his teams first goal of the game during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and SpVgg Greuther Fürth at Signal Iduna Park on December 15, 2021 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Will Man Utd be in contention to sign any of these players?

Unless they’re competing in next season’s Champions League and secure the services of an elite coach, it’s hard to envisage it.

Pochettino to Man Utd 'close' (Football Terrace)

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