Erik ten Hag's Man United plan is starting to take shape already with three brutal but key decisions already made which could compensate for an ambitious double Chelsea transfer swoop.
The former Ajax manager's style of player is very different from some of the managers that have come before him at Manchester United in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson. Jose Mourinho, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were almost all known for their pragmatic ways. However, ten Hag will implement a more philosophically-driven approach at Old Trafford as the supporters hope to see a side that can start closing the gap at the top to the likes of local rivals Man City and Liverpool.
In order to do this, Steve McClaren's former assistant has wasted no time in getting rid of three players who he doesn't deem necessary in his armoury with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and former Blues icon Juan Mata shown the door as a new era begins for the 13-time Premier League Champions. Mata was the most recent to have his announcement published on social media. Parts of the club statement read: 'Manchester United can confirm that Juan Mata will depart the club when his contract expires this summer. Thank you for dedicating eight years of your career to United, Juan. Everyone at the club wishes you all the best for the future.'
READ MORE: Lautaro Martinez drops Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs transfer bombshell after Finalissima magic
Three midfielders in different areas gone, so who could be the three to replace the outgoing trio? According to our sister outlet The Manchester Evening News, United are reportedly in negotiations to sign Barcelona's Frenkie De Jong with Xavi's side in desperate need of money in order for their own summer shopping spree. Elsewhere, it is understood that Nottingham Forest loanee James Garner could be handed an opportunity to have a squad role in Ten Hag's squad if he was to impress in pre-season training.
Regardless, it is highly likely that even if Garner was to stay put, two more midfielders were to be targeted by Richard Arnold and the board who have earned the trust of the Glazer family to carry out the football operations for the Red Devils. This is where N'Golo Kante and Mason Mount come into the equation.
Both are of interest to United with Ten Hag a fan of the pair and the versatility that could offer within his more dynamic system. Kante and Mount are two players that Thomas Tuchel will not want to lose with the former of the pair being labelled Chelsea's version of 'Neymar' by the German in terms of his calibre and importance.
"I think he is our key, key, key player, but key, key, key players need to be on the pitch," Thomas Tuchel said when asked about N'Golo Kante's form and fitness in 2022. "Given he's played only 40% of the games, it is maybe a miracle that we arrive in third place. He is our Mo Salah. He is our (Virgil) van Dijk. He is our (Kevin) De Bruyne. He is simply that player, our Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
"He is the guy who makes the difference, and if you only have him for 40%, then it is a huge problem. It puts everything into perspective. I saw Liverpool without van Dijk last season and they struggled heavily. You see the difference. N'Golo is our key player. We need him on the pitch."
Tuchel reaffirmed his point: "He is one of the very best midfielders in the world. Because is not that obvious, he is not in the spotlight, he is even more important for a team. A guy like N'Golo with the mentality of a helper, a water carrier, makes the difference. Big teams and successful teams need this. That's why we love him so much."
Additionally, Tuchel has also waxed lyrical on the importance of Mount to his plans going forward, so new owner Todd Boehly will do all he can to stave off this interest from their Premier League rivals. football.london understands that the new ownership structure will look to open new contract negotiations with 23-year-old and international compatriot Reece James, who himself has drawn interest from European Champions Real Madrid and wannabe winners Man City.
