Manchester United was inactive in the first two to three weeks when the transfer window opened. The new manager Erik Ten Hag wanted Barcelona’s Frenkie De Jong to be his first and the marquee signing. The strategy then was to sign players around Frenkie De Jong, to enhance the underperforming midfield. Erik Ten Hag has his own style of play which is a blend of tiki-taka and gegenpressing. Like Guardiola, Ten Hag likes to keep the ball and wants his players to keep pressing like how Klopp sets his players. Frenkie De Jong has been linked to the Red Devils going back to as long as the end of the previous season. De Jong’s camp and Barcelona both have maintained a stand that he is likely to stay at Camp Nou.
https://instagram.com/ballthatmatters?igshid=1wlttk94e247j
By now everyone who follows the sport knows that Barcelona owes deferred wages to De Jong which sum up to approximately €17million. De Jong’s manager Ali Dursun has been unhappy with Barcelona’s board on how they have handled this situation. Meetings from both the clubs have also been complete, with no conclusion on the deferred wages. The saga is definitely to continue until the deadline day of the transfer window.
Fans in particular were frustrated with the board that there were no signings, especially after how the previous season ended. Also, some of the potential linked midfield targets like Boubacar Kamara were being snapped by other clubs. It was about time for the board to step up and secure other players before the pre-season tour kicked off.
New arrivals at Manchester United
Tyrell Malacia
Erik Ten Hag grew fond of the young Dutch left-back during his tenure at Ajax. Ten Hag was particularly impressed with how Malacia played against Ajax in the last Eredivisie season. The left full-back had been in talks with French club Lyon before United stepped in. The Red Devils secured his signature for €15mil plus further add-ons of €2mil. Malacia so far has impressed everyone in the tour games. His signing is definitely going to keep Luke Shaw on his toes to consistently perform well.
Christian Eriksen
Immediately after securing the signatures of Tyrell Malacia, Manchester United turned their attention to Christian Eriksen. He has been a free agent ever since his loan stint with Brentford ended last season. There are very few elite players who are rarely available as free agents. Eriksen is one such player who certainly adds more options to the attacking midfield. A very good option on the bench and a perfect competition for Bruno Fernandes. The Danish midfielder has a very good eye for the goal as well as to make that killer pass or score from the dead ball.
Lisandro Martinez
From the time Erik Ten Hag joined Manchester United, many players from his ex-club (Ajax) have been imminently linked to the Red Devils. Lisandro Martinez is one such player which brings in a lot of quality in one or two of the weak areas for the Red Devils. The versatile Argentinian International can play as a center-back as well as a defensive midfielder. For the last two three seasons, Man United has been struggling to win the midfield battles, which is now an essential element in today’s modern game. If Erik Ten Hag does get all his preferred signings then Martinez-De Jong-Eriksen is not a bad midfield to have.
Outgoings at Red Devils
The outgoings have been players with a very good reputation across Europe. Most of the outgoings at Manchester United so far have been as free agents.
Paul Pogba
The French superstar adamantly refused to sign an extension and decided that he would be leaving for free (once again). Paul Pogba re-joined Juventus for a second stint for a salary of €8mil. Paul Pogba was unhappy with the Manchester United board ever since the 2018-19 campaign. His former agent Raiola left no stone unturned to slander the club during every International break. Injuries ever since the 2019-20 campaign, also raised questions about his consistency. In the end, it can be said Pogba’s departure is good for the club as well as the player.
Juan Mata
The Spanish attacking midfielder spent most of his time on the bench, ever since Bruno Fernandes arrived. Juan Mata though has been a thorough professional in honoring his contract. One of the nicest blokes in that Man United squad who will be definitely missed at Old Trafford. Even though 33, Mata still has a lot to offer to the game, and most likely his next destination appears to be in Spain.
Nemanja Matic
Another player left as a free agent. Nemanja Matic was the only natural defensive midfielder in the squad. Nemanja Matic was instrumental to stabilize the midfield during the 2017/18 season under then-manager Jose Mourinho. His performance ever since that campaign has been inconsistent. One of the biggest concerns in his game was the attacks that slowed down because of too many touches. Even though he was an anchor of the midfield at times, his gameplay just didn’t suit the counter-attacking style deployed under Ole Solskjaer. Board declined to give another extension, thus deciding it was the right time to bring in fresh legs.
Jesse Lingard
The English forward was offloaded as a free agent as well. Lingard burst into the scenes more under Louis van Gaal and was a consistent starter under Jose Mourinho. Even though he was given enough chances his performances have always been very inconsistent and were also often criticized for his off-the-pitch behavior. Letting a player like Lingard go may not be a huge loss to Man United, as they must have identified potential replacements.
Other notable outgoing players include backup goalkeeper Lee Grant and Brazilian midfielder Andreas Pareira. Newly promoted Fulham signed Andreas Pereira for an impressive €13mil (initial €10mil+€mil add-ons).
Other Potential Incoming Signings at Red Devils
Frenkie De Jong
The Red Devils have still not given up on their number one target Frenkie De Jong. John Murtough and Erik Ten Hag remain convinced that they will land his signatures and get De Jong to the Theatre of Dreams. The challenges the club faces to get a player like Frenkie De Jong are; the lack of UCL football and his deferred wages. As per various reports, Barcelona has requested De Jong to leave due to their economic situation as well as to let go of his deferred wages. The player’s camp however has made a stand that he loves Barcelona and intends to stay there. The saga is likely to continue until the deadline day.
Antony
The Brazilian forward is on Man United’s radar to bolster the attack on the right flank. Antony has had an impressive last season at Ajax and remains open to the idea to be re-united with Erik Ten Hag. The right flank remains to be an area which Man United want to strengthen, ever since they lost Mason Greenwood.
A Right Back
Another area of concern for the Red Devils is a right full-back. Even though Diogo Dalot has played well during the pre-season tour, a good backup option would definitely be on cards. Nordi Mukiele, Denzel Dumfries would not be bad back up options, if Aaron Wan Bissaka is to be sold.
A Striker
As confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Man United is going to be active in the market and explore options for a striker as well. There are very few out-and-out strikers available in the market at the moment. The Red Devils have entered this summer’s window with a strategy of not disclosing the names of their targeted players. It will be interesting to see who they end up signing.
Some of the other players who the board may sign, if they don’t get Frenkie De Jong are Youri Tielemans and/or Ruben Neves. Although they aren’t Erik Ten Hag’s first choice targets, they can be considered as backup options.
Potential Outgoing Players at Manchester United
Cristiano Ronaldo
As soon as the previous season ended, reports surfaced that Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his desire to leave the club. Ronaldo has been particularly unimpressed by the club’s lack of ambition. More importantly, it’s the lack of Champions League football that is driving the Portuguese superstar out. Erik Ten Hag and the club have made it clear that Cristiano Ronaldo is not for sale. However, his agent Jorge Mendes has been actively looking for clubs that can offer him Europe’s most elite competition i.e. UEFA Champions League.
Brandon Williams
The English full-back is potentially heading away from Old Trafford. Williams who came through the academy has had fewer chances due to Luke Shaw and Alex Telles covering up the left-back position. Williams’ also spent last season on loan at Norwich. Brighton & Hove Albion have shown interest in the full-back should Marc Cucurella leave for Manchester City.
Some of the other potential outgoings/loans include
- Axel Tuanzebe
- Tahith Chong (potentially on loan)
- Amad Diallo Traore (potentially on loan)
- Facundo Pellistri (potentially on loan)
- Ethan Laird (potentially on loan)
- James Garner (potentially on loan)
Conclusion
It certainly is going to be a busy and eventful transfer window for the Red Devils. Lack of UCL will be a challenge but they have secured marquee signings even with the absence of UCL football in the past. Erik Ten Hag has clear ideas and the players he wants in his team. It remains to be seen how the board backs him on the identified targets.
For more such articles do click here
