Man Utd could land six more transfers as Erik ten Hag takes over from Sheik Jassim
Manchester United and Erik Ten Hag could make SIX more transfers this summer if Sheikh Jassim In Hamad Al Thani completes the deal.
Manchester United and Erik ten Hag could sign six more signings this summer if Sheikh Jassim In Hamad Al Thani completes the deal in the near future. The Glazers are still discussing their course of action for a sale of CluƄ, but a quick move could help Ten Hag enact his bold transfer plans.
More than 260 days after the US owners announced their intention to seek an investment or a sale, indications are looming that Sheikh Jassim is set to pull out of frustration over the delay.
However, BBC Sport refuted the speculation, saying that was not the case and that Sheik Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe remain potential buyers. The Qatari anchor reportedly has what it takes to add £50m to the Dutchman’s budget to clear the heartbreaking debt that had built up under the Glazer regime.
And United are hoping to raise up to £100m from player sales, with Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Fred, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial among them in the window.
The Red Devils could more than double their £125m budget if they make a fortune on other fronts, leaving the door open for Ten Hag to score six goals after welcoming Mason Mount from CҺelsea.
United are in advanced talks on Andre Onana and are expected to reach an agreement with Inter Milan this week.
Erik ten Hag can make six more signings. (Image: Getty)
But with David de Gea ending his 12-year spell at Old Trafford and Dean Henderson set to follow suit, Ten Hag want a second goalkeeper as cover for the 27-year-old.
Reports in Japan claim United are closing a £5million deal for 20-year-old Urawa Red Diamonds stopper Zion Suzuki.
Ten Hag’s next squad will likely be forwards, with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund on his radar ahead of a £50million chase.
And, as between the sticks, the Manchester Evening News say they want a second striker to follow them through the M16 arrival suite to boost attacking competition.
Reports elsewhere indicate that Ten Hag is also looking to field recruits in midfield after Mount, amid numerous links with Fiorentina Sofyan AmraƄat. Andre Onana will be Man Utd’s next signing. (Image: Getty)
Possible moves from Fred and McTominay would make room for another face in his midfield, and United admire the highly rated Moroccan.
Maguire’s future is also uncertain, with FaƄrizio Romano reporting that Ten Hag would approve the pursuit of AS Monaco centre-forward Axel Disasi.
United are rumored to be challenging Newcastle United for the signing of the Frenchman, but a defender is not currently on that player’s priority list.
Any transfers to Mount, Onana and Hojlund are obviously heavily dependent on player sales. However, a successful spend, combined with investment from SҺeikҺ Jassim, would help Ten Hag achieve his transfer dreams.
Also…
Erik ten Hag’s protege could be close to his final Manchester United audition
Man United manager Erik ten Hag could give some of his young players chances against Leeds United on Wednesday
Erik ten Hag (right) could give Kobbie Mainoo a starting shot against Leeds United. (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Just 39 days after losing 2-1 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, Manchester United begin pre-season training for the coming season on Wednesday.
United meet champions Leeds United in Oslo in the first of eight scheduled friendlies ahead of the season opener against Wolves at Old Trafford on August 14. The trip to Norway marks the start of another long and busy season and it is therefore crucial that everyone takes this period seriously.
Pre-season is a chance for players to make their mark ahead of the new season and dig into their manager’s thoughts ahead of the big kick-off. The situation is no different at United, especially ahead of that opener. Fifteen members of United’s first team will not be in Norway due to international fixtures over the past month. They were given a three-week break before reporting to Carrington for the start of pre-training.
David Jeffrey reaction as Ballymena United reach Irish Cup final
Would you like to join our MUFC Pro Club and get a totally ad-free version of MEN’s Man United app full of premium features? Click here.
This means players like Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho will be missing from Oslo. They are set to make their pre-season debut when the Reds take on Lyon at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield on Wednesday this week.
This means the clash with Leeds, which is likely to take place at a slow pace like most friendlies at the start of pre-season, will be an opportunity for manager Erik ten Hag to assess some of his fringe players and the younger members of the squad whose opportunities may dry up once the top players return.
United, for example, were without their first-choice midfielder against Daniel Farke’s side last season while Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro were all capped last month. This means that some of the club’s midfielders could end up alongside Mason Mount.
Mount, brought from Chelsea last week, will be the center of attention in Norway and is sure to be the talk of the town no matter how he plays or how many minutes he gets. He missed England duty last month with an injury, meaning he has been training with Carrington since late last week.
Many expect Mount Eriksen to oust Ten Hag’s first-choice midfield and join forces with Casemiro and Fernandes in the engine room once competitive action gets underway next month. Until then, however, a period of experimentation awaits us.
Therefore, Kobbie Mainoo, for example, will be one of the few young men hoping to put his name in the ring in the coming weeks. The United Academy graduate was swiftly included in the first team squad last season after catching the eye of Ten Hag on Carrington training ground. Kobbie Mainoo (right) won the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award last season. (Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
In mid-season, he overtook Zidane Iqbal in the pecking order and finished the season with three senior appearances, including a full debut against Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup aged just 17. Ten Hag is a big fan of the midfielder and the youngster is hoping to stay in the first team next season.
The Stockport-born midfielder, now 18, is highly regarded at United which is why Ten Hag made him make three first-team appearances last season. While still finding his job, he promises to be an all-round midfielder, capable in both defense and attack. As a typical No. 8, he likes to play between the two squares. Although United have a strong midfield squad, they lack a quality reserve which means they may want to keep Mainoo this summer rather than loan him out.
He is widely regarded as one of the best players in his respective age group at Old Trafford and giving him a chance to prove himself against Leeds, albeit in a meaningless friendly where fitness will be paramount, Ten Hag might have an idea to indicate where he is. in its development. Once the top players return and United get closer to their season opener, the odds may not be so good.
For that reason, even if only for half time as Ten Hag might decide to mix things up at the break, Mainoo deserves a chance against Leeds to prove himself, perhaps alongside Mount and Fred who are also battling for the starting XI. Having had a taste of senior football under United colors last season, it’s only natural that the youngsters will want more.