Manchester United are stuck in limbo over the ongoing takeover process, with both Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim awaiting the final decision from the Glazers.
Until that mess is sorted out, Erik ten Hag may not receive the proper funds he requires to sign new players.
With budget constraints and the penny-pinching Glazers still in charge, Tribuna.com takes a look at some gems who could be plucked from relegation sides.
Southampton: James Ward-Prowse, Romeo Lavia
James Ward-Prowse, 28, is widely regarded for set-piece abilities and tenacity in the middle of the park.
A midfielder who's truly worth his salt in the Premier League, Ward-Prowse probably received the ultimate compliment when Pep Guardiola hailed him as the 'best set-piece taker' in the world.
Man United have a decent midfield unit right now but players like Scott McTominay and Fred have often let us down when we needed them the most.
Ward-Prowse, in contrast, is great at playing progressive passes and has been the Saints' most consistent - and injury-free player - despite playing full 90 minutes all the time.
He has nine goals and three assists to his name this season, which is incredible for a central midfielder - let alone, one playing for a relegation-threatened side.
Now, let's move on to Romeo Lavia. The Belgian, 19, has attracted plenty of attention from bigger sides for his defensive skills.
Man United have Casemiro now but when he's unavailable, there is literally no one who could fill in. Romeo seems like the perfect option to do that but Manchester City's involvement in his transfer could be a problem.
Although they sold him to Southampton last summer, they included clauses that allow them to match any bid for him. They also have a buyback and sell-on clause of 20 per cent.
Everton: Amadou Onana, Dominic Calvert-Lewin
If Pep Guardiola baulks at the thought of Romeo playing in a red shirt, well, we have another great option in Amadou Onana.
Onana has been linked with the Red Devils in recent times, especially after his rise with Everton this season. The 21-year-old has started 29 games for the Toffees so far. Despite being a deep-lying midfielder, he can also contribute to the attack as evidenced by his one goal and two assists.
At 6ft 4 inches, Onana is a powerhouse midfielder who can excel in a variety of midfield roles. His aggressive tackles and ability to break up play make him a player worth looking out for.
Although Onana is still quite young, he's quite vocal on the field and is unafraid to assert his leadership skills.
Another player for Everton we could sign is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Now, Calvert-Lewin hasn't been among the goals lately but don't let that fool you. He showed plenty of promise when he first burst onto the scene, hitting 16 goals (in 2020/21) and 13 goals (in 2019/20).
Unfortunately, he has scored just two goals and assisted once in the Premier League this season. But he's only 26 and arguably still has some fuel left in his tank.
He's been out of action for a month due to a thigh injury but can deliver the goods when fit.
Man United desperately need a striker and he could be worth a shot. Given Ten Hag's skills to develop players, Calvert-Lewin could revive his career at Old Trafford.
Leicester City: James Maddison
And finally, we have another player who has been linked with Man United in the past.
When James Maddison left Norwich City for a Premier League side, most expected him to join the Red Devils.
However, he ended up moving to Leicester City and enjoyed success there. He's an insanely skilled midfielder and deserves to continue playing in the Premier League even if Leicester get relegated.
Even in a tough season, Maddison has scored 10 goals and assisted nine more. He could also be a new creative outlet for Man United, which would then reduce the workload on Bruno Fernandes.
