Reports have emerged this week that will be getting any Manchester United fan excited for what could be over the next few years.

The Red Devils have been linked with a jaw-dropping £173m move for Barcelona hero Neymar, as Jose Mourinho looks to re-establish United amongst the European elite in terms of their recent success.

One way that he must go about that, and has done already, is to flex their financial muscles. Smashing the world-record fee for Paul Pogba last summer, as well as the wages offered to all new additions, showed that the red half of Manchester, despite being out of the Champions League, can still mix it and attract the best of the best.

With that in mind, Neymar’s head could be turned this summer, with a similarly lucrative offer to Pogba’s bound to be on the table. However, considering the fee being talked about for the Brazil international, the powers that be at Old Trafford must asses every possible option before taking the plunge.

Speaking earlier this season, club chief Ed Woodward spoke of how there was little desire for a spending spree akin to last summer’s once again this year, they had built their big money spine and now much just add the finishing touches.

For a start, those comments bring these rumours into doubt, but also hint that the money may be better spent elsewhere in the squad.

Mourinho has already been heavily linked with a move for France international and Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, a deal which looks far more likely than any for the Barcelona man.

Furthermore, United already have a surplus of attacking talent, with the likes of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford forever in and out of the side.

Investment, even by looking at Mourinho’s comments this season, is needed further back. The former Chelsea manager has, on more than one occasion this season, been highly critical of those in the back line of his squad.

The futures of Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Phil Jones and Matteo Darmian are all up in the air, should they leave Old Trafford this summer Mourinho will want improvements brought in.

Neymar is, of course, a world class player however when to take the time to pick through the Manchester United squad, along with looking at their long term plans to get back to the top of world football, he is not the player needed in this moment.