Manchester United’s plans for a hugely-important summer transfer window are currently shrouded in doubt due to the uncertainty around the protracted takeover.
Erik ten Hag will get his third opportunity to strengthen his squad once the season is over. He has been extremely clear in his desires, with new recruits needed in order to build on the work he has already done during his first season in charge.
“We have to acknowledge that, especially in the frontline, we had problems during the whole season because we just didn’t have the numbers there,” he said recently. “If the squad is so strong that you have in every position double the same quality, then it’s good.”
Alongside jettisoning 12 players to trim the squad, a world-class No9 is the top priority for United once the transfer window opens, with the likes of Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Randal Kolo Muani and Tammy Abraham linked. United lost Cristiano Ronaldo mid-season and failed to adequately replace him, with Wout Weghorst brought in on loan from Burnley due to budget restrictions.
United spent over £200million to sign Casemiro, Antony and Lisandro Martinez last summer and they will need to invest a similar amount if they are to land a top striker this time around. What they need is obvious, but achieving it is something else.
That is because United are currently 163 days into a takeover saga which is dragging on amid increasing uncertainty. The Glazer family are currently deliberating with Raine Group over which bid they want to go forward with.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should Manchester United sign in the summer transfer window? Comment below.
Three deadlines have been and gone and Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani are the two leading contenders. But currently everyone is in the dark over what the club will look like come the start of the 2023/24 season – including Ten Hag.
The Dutchman admitted this week that he has no idea what budget the recruitment department will be given for the summer transfer window.
“In football you need funds to construct squads because, at the end of the day, the level of your players decides if you are successful or not,” he said. “Everyone knows you need funds to construct a squad and high level players cost a lot of money. That’s the situation nowadays in top football.
“I think it’s clear what I want, but it’s not up to me. It’s about others in this club. The family are the owners, they make the decisions. It’s not up to me. I do everything I can and I influence the processes that I’m in charge of.”
That uncertainty is a massive problem. Although Ten Hag is currently focused on making sure of a Champions League place and winning a second piece of silverware in the FA Cup final, he inevitably will have one eye on the future.
There is no concrete timeline on the takeover process and it is entirely possible that a full takeover won’t even take place, with the Glazers able to accept minority offers on the table instead of those from Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim.
United can compile scouting reports and build a shortlist of transfer targets, but there is no guarantee they will be able to act upon them. Currently they are working with a significant disadvantage to their rivals.
Fans are desperate for the takeover to go through because they want to see the back of the Glazers. It seems Ten Hag wants it done for another reason: so he can finally have some clarity over transfer plans.
