Erik ten Hag may well be getting a clear indication of just how big a job he faces at Manchester United during the early stages of this summer’s transfer window.
Manchester City have already got their marquee signing, and Liverpool look to be on the verge of their own. Meanwhile, United’s attempts to bring Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford are threatening to peter out. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, United have opened talks with the Catalan giants as they try and seal a move for the 25-year-old this summer. As things stand at the moment though, the two clubs are some way apart in their valuation of the Dutch midfielder.
Should United continue to be left frustrated, they are willing to move on to other targets, and have stayed in touch with potential alternative options. Yet that could see them falling into an all-too familiar trap.
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De Jong is clearly Ten Hag’s first choice when it comes to midfield signings, and forcing him to change tack could mean the new manager having to rip up his original plans for next season before it's started. Given the size of the task at hand, you don’t want to be adding more work to his pile.
On one hand, you can understand United’s thinking. If Barcelona — who have indicated at various points how desperate they are to bring in some cash by selling players — are playing hardball over De Jong, then on paper it would perhaps make sense to explore other options.
Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way, and clubs can often find themselves shelling out more than they want to on the players they’ve eyed up as cheaper alternatives. Louis van Gaal can tell you as much.
The former United boss hasn’t been shy of aiming the odd dig at the club since his departure, and his opinions seem to have gone into overdrive recently, with one of his Netherlands internationals involved in a transfer saga. Ten Hag and United though would do well to heed his warning of two years ago when Van Gaal bemoaned the way in which transfers were handled during his time at Old Trafford.
“Manchester United did not have the qualities to become champions and had an outdated selection with 10 players over 30, five over 35,” Van Gaal said back in 2020. “So I told them I was going to rejuvenate and which players should come. I didn't get one of those.
“Then you end up in a different segment and as a coach you have to push your boundaries. You don't expect that at the richest club in the world. A turnover of £600m and can't buy the players you need. You should buy number one and not number seven.
“Of course, the selling club also thinks: ‘If you are so rich, you also have to pay the highest amount imaginable for a player.’ That was what happened with transfers.
“Then you have to do with the numbers seven or eight on your wish list. For which you actually pay way too much money, on which the coach is judged and convicted.”
It’s a valid point that Van Gaal makes. Ten Hag will have made his way to Old Trafford with a plan in his head of how he is going to turn the club’s fortunes around, and much of that will be based on him securing his first choice targets in the transfer window.
United have been very guilty of overspending on players who have ultimately not delivered over the years. That’s why Ten Hag set about ensuring he would get control over transfers before agreeing to become the club’s new manager.
Now he has the chance to change United’s policy to work in his favour. Rather than having to settle for players further down his wish list, he must do everything to secure his ideal targets, and put in place his vision.
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