Manchester United will give their new permanent manager the final decision on transfers, which means the club could face another traumatic summer in the market if their first choice, Louis van Gaal, is given the role.
The 62-year-old is hopeful that a deal to make him David Moyes' successor will be sealed this week, with the Holland coach keen to do so before starting his World Cup preparations on 7 May.
United are intent on avoiding a repeat of last year when Moyes and Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, oversaw a disastrous window during which the pursuit of Cesc Fábregas, Leighton Baines, Ander Herrera and Fábio Coentrão ended in failure. Marouane Fellaini arrived from Everton on the closing day for £27.5m, £3.5m more than his buyout clause.
United are aiming for an overhaul of the squad. Yet even
if Van Gaal was appointed in the next few days it would leave him almost no time to finalise targets before starting his World Cup buildup. As with most managers, his preference is to meet a player in person.