After failing to qualify for last season's Champions League, the pressure is certainly on Manchester United to at least secure a top four finish.
However, it has been nothing short of a nightmare season so far for the Red Devils, who are bottom of the table after losing their first two games. Even more worryingly for the team and their supporters is the fact that the English giants were not playing against fellow big sides including Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, or Tottenha - all of whom qualified for this season's Champions League.
Rather, their first two games under Erik ten Hag were against Brighton and Brentford, two teams who did not even qualify for European football last season.
After shockingly losing 2-1 to the former at Old Trafford in their season opener, the Red Devils traveled to face Brentford last weekend and were humiliated 4-0. As such, it is no surprise that they have been linked with a crop of players as they are facing a race against time to bring in some much needed reinforcements.
One of these players, according to reports from Spain, is Sergino Dest. Barcelona, despite their debt worries, have been very active in the transfer market, but will need to offload quite a few people in order to successfully register all their new signings.
As per the report, Dest is being offered for approximately $20.2 million (€20 million). The 21-year-old has been making history since arriving at the Camp Nou in 2020. This includes becoming the first American to: sign and play for Barcelona in La Liga, feature in El Clasico, and score a goal for the Blaugrana.
So far, he has made over 70 appearances for the Blaugrana across all competitions, and although Manchester United are featuring in the Europa League as opposed to Barcelona, who will play in the Champions League, his relationship with ten Hag from his Ajax days could make a move more appealing.
However, it does not appear that the two sides are totally in agreement over the player's selling price, plus there is his buyout release clause to contend with.
