Erik ten Hag has overseen his first pre-season as Manchester United boss and is days away from overseeing his first competitive match in charge.
Ten Hag has inherited a squad in need of minor surgery with exits from the first-team squad almost in double figures. Paul Pogba joined Juventus after United confirmed his exit at the end of his contract before the club also said their goodbyes to Jesse Lingard, who has since joined Nottingham Forest. Spanish playmaker Juan Mata's exit at the end of his contract was then confirmed.
Nemanja Matic has departed too, joining Roma, while Edinson Cavani and Lee Grant – who has taken up a coaching role at Ipswich Town – have also left the first-team squad at United. Dean Henderson has joined Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal while Andreas Pereira has moved to Fulham on a permanent deal.
Only three signings have been added to Ten Hag’s squad; Dutch full-back Tyrell Malacia has joined from Feyenoord, while Christian Eriksen has joined after his contract at Brentford expired and the boss raided Ajax for in-demand defender Lisandro Martinez.
But how satisfied will the new United boss be with the summer business to date?
Who were Man Utd linked with at the start of the season?
United’s squad required multiple incomings. A top-class defensive midfielder was seen as the greatest priority, but investment was required across the squad. A goalkeeper to be competitive with David de Gea after Henderson’s exit, along with new signings in both full-back positions and in the centre of defence.
Furthermore, Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave United just one year after his return to Old Trafford and coupled with Edinson Cavani’s exit and the ongoing suspension of Mason Greenwood, the club’s attacking options have been left depleted.Since the start of May, Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was earmarked as Ten Hag’s priority addition in the heart of midfield. A series of Ajax players were also targeted: Jurrien Timber, Martinez, Edson Alvarez and Antony were the players most strongly linked to Old Trafford. Brian Brobbey – who returned to Ajax from RB Leipzig – also held a phone call with Ten Hag over a possible move.
As with every summer window, United have been linked to 100s of new players. Some links have a grounding in truth, but most are the invention of agents or rival clubs to drive up the player’s price. Strikers Benjamin Sesko and Sasa Kalajdzic – of Red Bull Salzburg and Stuttgart respectively – are two options on United’s radar.
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Who have they signed so far?
Just three players have been added to Ten Hag’s squad; left-back Malacia, midfielder Eriksen and the versatile Martinez, who was deployed by the Dutch coach in the heart of Ajax’s defence throughout his spell in Amsterdam.
In a normal transfer window and taken in isolation, these represent additions which – on paper, at least – are positive. Players of proven quality but with a point to prove at the very top, who immediately improve United’s squad and – with a total outlay of £64million in transfer fees between the three players – represent reasonable value.
Yet United need at least two or three more additions to their squad in the next month if they are to have a squad with suitable strength in depth to challenge on all fronts this season.
Is there anyone left on their radar/to sign?
Yes, and there is an awareness – driven by Ten Hag and relayed to United’s transfer chiefs, namely CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough – to conclude several deals in the next few weeks.
Barcelona midfielder De Jong remains the prime target and there is confidence within United that a deal can be concluded. Should that not come to fruition, the club will look to secure another central midfielder – Ruben Neves of Wolves and Leicester ’s Youri Tielemans are potential options.
A new goalkeeper to provide competition for De Gea is still being examined by United, while a new right-back will be added should either of Diogo Dalot or Aaron Wan-Bissaka depart.
Yet it is in attack which is likely to provide the most fascinating development. Antony of Ajax wants to join United and the club want him, but the Dutch club’s £68million-valuation of the Brazilian makes any deal this window unlikely without a compromise between all parties.
Sesko and Kalajdzic are other options with both fitting the profile of central strikers (Antony is primarily a right-sided wide forward) which United are in urgency of, particularly if Ronaldo departs. What is certain that an action-packed four weeks lie ahead for United in what could potentially define their next nine months.
