Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns there is 'no quick fix' as busy summer looms in the transfer market

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enters his first summer transfer window at Manchester United convinced he will not suffer the same frustrations as predecessor Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho's Old Trafford reign went into freefall after the club failed to secure a host of targets at the end of last season - something he believed to be vital in order to kick on from a second-place finish.

Harry Maguire, Jerome Boateng and Ivan Perisic were among the players the former United manager wanted to recruit after securing the club's highest post-Sir Alex Ferguson finish, when they still fell 19 points short of Premier League champions Manchester City.

United's hierarchy ultimately vetoed Mourinho's choices – as well as refusing to allow him to sell Anthony Martial – which proved to be the beginning of the end.

The Portuguese – who made no attempt to hide his frustrations during his bitter final months in the job - was eventually sacked in December, with United sitting 11 points adrift of the top four.

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Solskjaer has sparked a revival that could see him secure Champions League football for next season – but the Norwegian is planning an overhaul this summer.

After discussions with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, the United manager is set to be handed in excess of £200million to try to lure top targets like Jadon Sancho and Kalidou Koulibaly.

A host of English football's brightest talents are also on his radar in the form of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Declan Rice and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Sporting Lisbon captain Bruno Fernandes and Everton's Idrissa Gueye are other names included on an extensive wanted list.

With United set to make it six years without contesting for the title, this summer could prove a pivotal point in their history as Manchester City and Liverpool threaten to dominate domestically.

Solskjaer warns it will take time for United to reach the levels of their two fiercest rivals – but is confident he will enjoy a successful window.

"I've been speaking to the club," he said. "We know we have to be realistic here. We know there is a job to be done, we know there's no quick fix.

"It's not like, buy seven players and suddenly we're in the right shape. We are where we are. You have to take it step by step."

Solskjaer has so far conducted his summer strategy without the assistance of a soon-to-be appointed technical director.

Woodward has been working on restructuring United's recruitment department to enable longer-term thinking in terms of squad planning.

A technical director will be expected to work with Solskjaer, the scouts and academy to identify targets, who will fit in with the club's DNA.

Woodward has been roundly panned for a series of high-profile failures in the transfer market, such as Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay – but Solskjaer has sought to defend United's strategy.

"I know there's been loads of criticism," he said. "I don't know if all these critics know what's happening.

"We've got scouts scouring the planet for good footballers and we'll sign players that we think are the right fit, personality-wise, quality-wise, price-wise - and can you have longevity at this club?

"I'm confident we're doing what we can to get the right players in."

This will be a busier than desired summer at United due to a host of first-team departures. Marouane Fellaini left for Shandong Luneng in January, while Ander Herrera is set to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

Antonio Valencia will be released, while Juan Mata is also out of contract. Matteo Darmian, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo could leave as well.

Solskjaer says it's crucial his existing squad must prove they can be part of his rebuild.

"There will be some additions, that's one side of it," he added. "The players have got to come back and know what's expected of them pre-season.

"It's not like the 90s – where you comeback overweight and then have to start to do the work.

"They've got to come back and take ownership of that over the holidays and that will be great to see who's coming back ready."

United face Everton on Sunday knowing victory is a must to keep their top-four hopes on track.

And ahead of the trip to Goodison Park, Solskjaer was withering in his assessment of some of his misfiring players.

"I've learnt a lot about them over the months," he said. "I've been here now and you get to know them. Most of them I have to say have really impressed in their attitude.

"Of course there's some who need to get a reality check on where they're at. But most of these know they can improve if they keep working as they do."