Sir Jim Ratcliffe's transfer plan gives Manchester United something that has helped their rivals

If it weren't for the world-class Harry Kane then Ollie Watkins would likely be a shoo-in to start as England's main striker at the European Championship finals in Germany this summer.

The Aston Villa striker has had a direct hand in more Premier League goals than any other player this season, scoring 19 and creating 12. His importance to Villa cannot be stressed enough, as they close in on Champions League qualification at the expense of Manchester United and Co.

Signed from Brentford in September 2020 for what was a club-record fee of £28million, plus £5m in add-ons, Watkins has plundered 34 goals in the Premier League since the start of last season, taking his overall tally in England's top flight to 59 in 143 games. It is an impressive return.

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What is all the more impressive is that Watkins was a late starter in the Premier League, not making his debut in the division until the age of 24. He had previously spent three years in the Championship with Brentford after impressing in League Two with Exeter City.

Currently, Watkins is one of the best strikers in Europe and some newspaper gossip columns have linked him with United ahead of this summer. After such a blistering campaign, it is unlikely the Reds will be able to match Villa's demands.

United are on the cusp of entering one of the most critical summers in their recent history. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is implementing sweeping changes off the pitch and is set to follow suit on it, with only Andre Onana, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund understood to be players United want to retain at all costs.

Ratcliffe has spoken about the need to change United's recruitment strategy. In recent years they have attempted to buy ready-made players, such as Casemiro, who have little resale value.

"What I would rather do is find the next [Kylian] Mbappe, rather than spend a fortune just trying to buy success," Ratcliffe told the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast in March. "It's not that clever, is it, buying Mbappe, in a way?

"Anybody could figure that one out. But what's much more challenging is to find the next Mbappe, the next [Jude] Bellingham or the next Roy Keane."

It is clear Ratcliffe recognises United need to change their ways. They have been taken for a ride far too often in recent years, overspending on players who have simply not lived up to eye-watering price tags.

It is why United should consider taking a leaf out of Villa's book. The Championship, in recent years, has produced several now-established Premier League players who would not look out of place at Old Trafford, such as Jarrod Bowen, Michael Olise, James Maddison and Ivan Toney.

Bowen was purchased by West Ham United directly from the Championship in January 2020 and has scored 60 goals in 200 games, including 43 in the Premier League. He cost the Hammers £22m.

This season, Adam Wharton traded Blackburn Rovers for Crystal Palace as recently as February and is already being linked with some of the Premier League's elite after just 13 top-flight appearances, following a string of eye-catching performances. He is another example of the Championship being a gold mine for lesser-known talent.

Another example is Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Portuguese heavyweights Sporting Lisbon from Coventry City last summer. He was snapped up for a reported fee of £20m and has scored 40 goals this season, meaning he is now associated with a price tag five times the size.

Privately, United concede they are now bracketed with Newcastle United, Tottenham and Villa, even though they daren't publicly admit it. With that in mind, they should not be immune to scouring the Championship for fresh blood.

The quality of the Championship has massively improved since United poached Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace in 2013 and Daniel James from Swansea City in 2019. Not every player in the division is Premier League standard, but an increasing number are.

It is not a place United would have shopped for new additions in the past, but it is a market worthy of exploring nowadays. Watkins is only two goals behind Erling Haaland, Bowen is level with Phil Foden and Wharton has made his presence known within weeks.

With United secretly acknowledging their downfall, they can't turn their nose up at shopping in the league below for potential additions. Big-name, heavy metal signings have rarely come off in recent years, meaning a change in tack is worth considering.