Manchester United Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Gareth Bale Rumours

Manchester United aren't allowing recent disappointments to affect their prospects in the transfer market, it appears, after it emerged the club is "working on separate deals" for Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Neymar.

James Ducker of the Times reported the Red Devils will attempt to focus next summer's transfer recruitment on several elite stars as opposed to a mass overhaul akin to that seen in the most recent window.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

However, Ducker stated that the demands of the Premier League are understood to be a "significant obstacle" for United, even in the hunt for past superstars of the division like Ronaldo and Bale.

ESPN FC's James Tyler acknowledged the La Liga-based trio as fairly obvious targets for United:

Neymar and Ronaldo were both named on the three-man shortlist for this year's Ballon d'Or award, with the third, Barcelona's Lionel Messi, presumably deemed a target too far even for United.

The English giants exited the Champions League this week following a 3-2 defeat to group opponents Wolfsburg, but Metro's Will Giles claimed the money-spinning kit sponsorship deal with Adidas will allow the club to spend big next summer.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Belgium manager Marc Wilmots hit the headlines in October after allegedly urging Chelsea star Eden Hazard to move to the less physically demanding climes of La Liga. However, ESPN FC reported him denying those claims in an interview with Belgian broadcaster RTBF, saying: "I do not need to intervene there. Eden is old enough to make his choices."

According to Sunday World's Kevin Palmer, the club's transfer prospects are bound to have shrunk following the drop in standards at Old Trafford over recent years:

Last summer saw United boost their ranks significantly thanks to the arrivals of players such as Anthony Martial, 20, Memphis Depay, 21, Bastian Schweinsteiger, 31, Morgan Schneiderlin, 26, and Matteo Darmian, 26.

Of those players, perhaps only Schneiderlin and Darmian who could be deemed close to their prime, with Louis van Gaal's former Bayern Munich charge Schweinsteiger arguably past his best already. 

The failure to acquire superstars currently at the peak of their playing ability has undoubtedly had an impact on United's demise since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from the helm in the summer of 2013.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Gary Neville Podcast in November, the former Old Trafford right-back touched upon the need for one or two players of genuine, world-class quality:

"

If you put two more players into Manchester United's team, say a Gareth Bale or a Cristiano Ronaldo into that team, that team could win the league. Because the structure that is being built at this moment in time is solid.

But they need that match-winner, that Neymar, that Luis Suarez, the one that is going to light up a game and score one or two goals to take it away, then all of a sudden they would look like a Barcelona, because they're dominating possession, making teams look foolish.

"

Of the three players mentioned, former Manchester United icon Ronaldo would most likely be the cheapest option considering he turns 31 in February, while Bale, 26, and Neymar, 23, are yet to hit their peaks, and might be expected to court world-record fees.

The Guardian's Michael Cox believes United's transfer options won't hit those heights next summer, though, citing the mentioned interest in Southampton's Sadio Mane as an indicator of more realistic options:

The Europa League now awaits Manchester United, but with the club just three points off Premier League leaders Leicester City, a title win this season could drastically improve their chances of making big signings.

A club of Manchester United's renown may refuse to let their lofty transfer expectations suffer even in the face of defeat, but landing targets of Ronaldo, Neymar or Bale-level quality is another race altogether.