When Manchester United opted to hire Erik ten Hag, there was an acceptance the squad would need a major overhaul.
Fresh off the back of their worst-ever Premier League campaign, the Red Devils approached Ten Hag thanks to his reputation of building young squads, capable of playing progressive, exciting football. But the squad in which he inherited was a fractured one, having failed another two managers in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
But his first window got off to an extremely frustrating start. Clearly not entirely content with the club’s recruitment process, Ten Hag targeted players he had substantial prior knowledge of. Former Ajax midfielder Frenkie de Jong was his top target, but after months of wrangling, briefings from both sides and contract threats, he looks set to stay at Barcelona.
Ten Hag was adamant he wanted players prior to the start of pre-season and while that target has long gone, as the deadline closes he will be reasonably happy with the business done.
In fact with the arrivals of Antony and Martin Dubravka from Ajax and Newcastle respectively, the £231.1million given to the new boss is a new United record. But there could be more movement before the window slams shut at 11pm tonight and with that, some last minute alterations to the 25-man squad Ten Hag will name for the season.
In goal, David de Gea will remain as the starting option, but after a shaky start to the season, Dubravka provides some genuine competition. The Slovakian international has signed on a season-long loan with an option for that to become permanent.
He will take the place of Dean Henderson, who was allowed to join Nottingham Forest on a similar arrangement. Behind those two, Tom Heaton provides a steady veteran presence, who is more than capable of stepping in as and when required.
Defensively, United have already seen a massive shake-up. Lisandro Martinez (£56m) and Tyrell Malacia (£14.6m) have both shown glimpses of their talents, displacing England internationals Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw in the process.
Eric Bailly and Alex Telles were deemed surplus to requirements and allowed to join Marseille and Sevilla. Phil Jones was another player heavily linked with an exit, but he looks set to stay, even in a reserve capacity.
As United enter the final throes of the window, there had been hope that a deal for Barcelona right-back Sergino Dest could be finalised. His arrival would have freed up Aaron Wan-Bissaka to move on, having lost out to Diogo Dalot in the battle to start this summer. Instead, Wan-Bissaka remains, with Dest joining AC Milan instead. Brandon Williams could end up remaining at Old Trafford too, although after a loan spell last term, the chances for regular minutes are unlikely.
There was little doubt that in midfield, Ten Hag needed to conduct a major refresh of his options. Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic all made way, while the question marks surrounding Scott McTominay and Fred are still loud and clear.
Christian Eriksen was a shrewd acquisition on a free transfer, while the £70m paid for Casemiro could prove to be a pivotal point in the United rebuild. Donny van de Beek’s remarkable turnaround under his compatriot has yet to materialise, but he will hope to be afforded more opportunities by Ten Hag than under his predecessors.
James Garner looks likely to leave before the deadline, with the likes of Everton and Nottingham Forest both linked with a player once described as the next Michael Carrick. Alejandro Garnacho and Zidane Iqbal could both get chances, but as they are both under 21, will not need to be included in United’s initial squad list.
Now to what could prove to be the biggest domino to fall on the final day of the summer window. The will-he, won’t-he, does anybody want me saga surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo will finally be concluded tonight.
Ronaldo doesn’t want to be at Manchester United. Ten Hag seemingly doesn’t want him at Manchester United. And the Manchester United players reportedly don’t want him at Manchester United . Only one solution then? The biggest problem has been finding a dancing partner.
Links with Napoli have continued this week, but would likely need United to splash the cash to sign Victor Osimhen. That wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, considering his impressive scoring record. It would suit all parties to get that deal done, although it does look an exceptionally difficult one to get over the line.
The other forward players speak for themselves, with Anthony Martial going from a near-certain exit, to a potential starter in a matter of months. Anthony Elanga will also get plenty of chances, but at 20, won’t need to be included in this list.
Could there be a late twist? Will Ronaldo actually depart? Or are he and Ten Hag left in a marriage of inconvenience?
Erik ten Hag’s dream Man Utd squad for 2022-23 season
Goalkeepers: David de Gea, Martin Dubravka, Tom Heaton
Defenders: Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Phil Jones, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Brandon Williams
Midfielders: Fred, Scott McTominay, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Donny van de Beek
Forwards: Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Cristiano Ronaldo
