Manchester United fans here in the Transfer Tavern have been watching on in envy over the past week, as European’s elite (and Leicester) have battled it out for a spot in the last four of the Champions League.

We saw a valiant Leicester City – who will come home with their heads held firmly high as the last English team standing – knocked out by an usually impressive Atletico Madrid.

A 1-0 defeat in the first leg at the Vicente Calderon followed by a hotly competed 1-1 draw at the King Power meant the Foxes impressive European run came to a closure.

Former United star Cristiano Ronaldo was the match winner for his current club Real Madrid as they knocked out favourite’s Bayern Munich in extra time.

Gone were the days that the Red Devil’s dominated Europe, and these days, the boys from Old Trafford are more accustomed to sitting and admiring from in front of their no-doubt big screen TV’s at home.

With a top four finish still on the cards and Jose Mourinho’s side still on for a Europa League triumph, United’s european dream could once again by reignited by next season.

One thing is for certain – and the United fans here at the Tavern agree to – is that the Red Devils will need to invest wisely this summer if they are to build upon what has been a hit-and-miss season.

Here are THREE players from the Champions League quarters United should look to sign over the summer …

Joshua Kimmich

United have plenty of attacking power at their disposal.

That is true even if Zlatan Ibrahimovic is to leave the club this summer as is rumoured.

Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard are all more than capable players going forward.

What they really need to address is their problems in midfield and at the back.

Joshua Kimmich has been one of Europe’s most impressive youngsters this season.

The versatile Bayern Munich man is capable of playing almost anywhere along the back four, however is best utilised as an holding midfielder as he has demonstrated brilliantly in the Bundesliga and on the European stage this year.

The 22-year-old is superb at winning the ball back in the centre of the park and starting counter attacks, and is more than happy to get forward himself too.

He has 7 goals to his name already this season.

Kimmich could be just the man United need in the middle of the park to replace Michael Carrick, and his arrival would allow Paul Pogba to venture further up to pitch too and show us why he really did command an astronomical £89 million for his services.

Benjamin Mendy

Poor Luke Shaw.

The young Englishman has – whether you believe fairly or unfairly – been the whipping boy for an aggravated Jose Mourinho in recent weeks. The Portuguese has picked apart Shaw limb by limb as he has dissected his recent performances, so if his words are anything to go by, he will more than likely be looking for a replacement this summer.

And where better to look than to Monaco and Benjamin Mendy. The Ligue 1 leaders have been the surprise package in Europe this season and their little French wing-back has been one of their stand out performers.

If united are to secure the pacy former Marseille man however, they will have to empty their pockets, as reports suggest that Monaco have put an huge €65 million price tag on his head in an attempt to keep him on their books.

Jose Gimenez

Atletico Madrid, alongside Juventus, have Europe’s most excellent defenders.

Marshalled by the wonderful Diego Godin, Atletico have kept an astonishing 6 clean sheets in their lost 9 outing’s in the Champions League, and a total of 27 in 45 matches in Europe’s elite competition under Diego Simeone.

The Argentine’s men are the benchmark for which every club should strive defensively, and it’s effectiveness has been proven by them reaching three of the last four UCL semi-finals, and two of the last three finals.

At 22 Jose Gimenez is very much still learning his trade, but with guidance from Godin, the young Uruguayan is already looking like one of Europe’s most promising defensive talents.

With game time limited this year at his current club, United could profit by luring him to Old Trafford.