Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Erik ten Hag as their next permanent boss in what looks set to be a summer of change at Old Trafford.
Ajax boss ten Hag, 52, met with United bosses last month to talk about becoming their new manager and has now taken the job on a permanent basis. It is set to be an incredibly busy summer at United, with a host of players set to leave.
Former star forward Wayne Rooney believes Paul Pogba – who is out of contract – should leave Old Trafford while also added that another former teammate of his, Cristiano Ronaldo, may be moved on this summer – despite having a year of his contract left. Rooney insisted United would be better off relying on "young, hungry players" going forward.
Ronaldo and Pogba may head a huge clearout at the club, with Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Edinson Cavani also out of contract. Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial have endured unsuccessful loan spells away while Nemanja Matic, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also have unclear futures at United.
Ten Hag is set to be busy bringing in his own personnel to the club with the Dutchman due to be handed a transfer war chest ahead of his first game in charge. United are reportedly making progress on a push for Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips as they prepare for life under a new manager next season.
The new boss is said to be putting together a 'comprehensive dossier' of the Red Devils' first-team squad and has already listed a number of targets to help solve their long-running issues. They include some of the players whom he currently manages in Amsterdam.
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So how are United likely to line up under ten Hag? His first decision starts with the goalkeeper – with Dean Henderson pushing David de Gea for the number one spot. If de Gea continues as first-choice, Henderson is likely to move on – although the Spaniard’s struggles to command his penalty area, marshal his defence and, most significantly, limitations in playing out from the back may see ten Hag overlook him (as has been the case with Spain boss Luis Enrique) with Henderson instead given the nod.
United are finishing the season with a back four of Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw – all four of whom are likely to be retained this summer. However, ten Hag may be hopeful of bringing two of his current Ajax defence to United to compete for places. The unclear future of Wan-Bissaka may open up a right-back slot, with the Moroccan international Noussair Mazraoui out of contract at Ajax this summer – although he is said to be close to agreeing on a move to Bayern Munich.
Perhaps a standout option for United is 20-year-old Jurrien Timber – who has already made 68 first-team appearances for the Amsterdam giants. Also able to competently operate at right-back, Mirror Football understands that ten Hag views the six-time capped Netherlands international as someone who could immediately remedy the Red Devils' defensive issues.
England international Phillips is thought to be the most likely addition in United’s long-running search for a central midfielder, with Declan Rice thought to be priced out of a switch and Ruben Neves also a contender. Yet the current Leeds midfielder could be the ideal holding partner for Fred in the centre of United’s midfield, with Scott McTominay pushing for a starting spot.
In attack, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga are likely to be regular starters next season with Marcus Rashford also hoping to recover form - with Bruno Fernandes set to be a central figure once more. However, with the exits of Cavani and Ronaldo anticipated, the club will be in the market for new players.
Benfica striker and Uruguay international Darwin Nunez has already netted 27 goals this campaign for Benfica and had been the club’s standout player. The 22-year-old has been linked to some of Europe’s biggest clubs due to his potential – he netted in this week’s Champions League clash against Liverpool having also scored a brace against Barcelona and netted the winner against ten Hag’s Ajax.
Another option for United may be Anthony, who has blossomed under ten Hag this season with 12 goals and 10 assists in 30 appearances. The 22-year-old is one of the most exciting young attacking players in European having joined from Sao Paulo two years ago and has already netted two goals in nine Brazil international caps. Big changes are coming at United this summer – with a new-look side expected.
