Quinton Fortune on the ‘big names’ who Man Utd should avoid buying in the summer transfer window

Quinton Fortune has identified what type of player Manchester United should look to sign this summer.

The former Red Devils midfielder believes the club should target players with the ‘right character’ as opposed to big names.

United have a huge summer window ahead of them with Erik ten Hag as their new manager and several players set to depart for free at the end of the current contracts.

"I have thought about that and it’s a good question," Fortune told the club’s official website, when asked which sort of players the Red Devils need to be looking at in the market.

"It doesn’t have to be big names. It’s got to be the right characters to fit into the culture of Manchester United. That is the thing to achieve again. It is very important. Not every single player will have to be better to coach but the humility bit is what has got United so much success.

"Yes, the teams I played in had individual characters but, when it came down to the team, there was so much humility in what they did and their work in winning the Champions League and championships but then they just came in ready to work again. So, for me, it’s the right characters.”

Several names have been linked with a move to Old Trafford since Ten Hag’s arrival from Ajax, including his former players Jurrien Timber, Anthony and Sebastian Haller.

The 52-year-old is expected to find replacements for the departing quintet Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Edinson Cavani - thus arriving at United early.

Fortune, who joined the Red Devils from Atletico Madrid in 1999 before departing for Bolton Wanderers seven years later, believes the upcoming window will be ‘exciting’ for United.

"There is the opportunity to bring in new players with a few players coming to the end of their contracts," he added.

"It’s always good to have a base month and a half to have a look at the team and implement the style of play and the way he wants things to be around the team and the club. On the training ground, there will be enough time to work with the players and prepare for the beginning of the season.

"Of course, we’ll wait to see who he brings in. That is the exciting part."

The summer transfer window opens on 10 June with Ten Hag and his staff expected to be active in the market.