Erik ten Hag faces a difficult first summer as Manchester United coach, with top transfer targets such as Frenkie de Jong, Darwin Nunez and Jurrien Timber hard to convince to join his Old Revolution Trafford.
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Five players whose races Man Utd ten Hag can relive
Erik ten Hag has yet to find an easy life as Manchester United coach.
The Red Devils revolution under his new coach has begun, not surprisingly, slowly. But with the summer transfer window officially open, Ten Hag can formally begin reviewing United’s rudderless team, after allowing non-contract stars Jesse Lingard and Paul Pogba to leave.
But while club officials can play with a lot of cash, buying the players they want is difficult, and there’s a big reason. The horrible sixth-place Red Devils last season left them out of Champions League football for the first time since 2019, a competition the best in Europe are desperate to play.
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As United have quickly discovered in a brutal reality check, top targets such as Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong and Benfica striker Darwin Núñez have turned down the opportunity to be part of the Red Devils’ rebuild, or are stalled by see if there is anything better. along. Ajax defender Jurrien Timber made it clear that he was already in the Champions League with his current club as a factor as to why he might decide to join, especially when he wants to secure a place in the Champions League. World Cup with Holland.
Given the situation in United’s Europa League, here are six transfer alternatives that Ten Hag could use.
Frenkie de Jong – Youri Tielemans
Starting with a support for the man most wanted by Ten Hag, De Jong, Tielemans could be the bargain of the summer given his contractual situation at Leicester City. The 25-year-old Belgian has only 12 months left on his current deal and reports that he could be available for a reduced fee of £ 25 million is a figure no club can smell.
Proven in the Premier League as one of his best deep players, Tielemans has the technical qualities to make up for the possible loss of De Jong, although it is true that he is not so athletic. However, pairing him with the right teammate and the Red Devils midfield suddenly seems to be at levels above where he has been with Fred and Scott McTominay.
If Ten Hag can still achieve his dream signing of De Jong, then why not make an extra effort as well and combine Tielemans with him?
Tielemans could be available for a reduced price this summer
Declan Rice / Kalvin Phillips – Ibrahim Sangare
Speaking of who could operate alongside Tielemans for United, Sangare may be a relatively unknown name to English football fans, but that doesn’t seem to be the case for a long time. Several reports claim that the ace of PSV Eindhoven has his heart set on the Premier League after two years with the Dutch giants.
The Red Devils have had their sights set on Rice and Phillips as defensive midfield flavors, but a myriad of factors such as high prices and competition for their signings have seen United’s chances dwindle significantly over the years. last months.
Sanagre, meanwhile, is ready for the elite and Ten Hag should know all about the 24-year-old from his time at the Eredivisie. The Ivorian helped PSV beat Ajax in the KNVB Cup final in April, so impressive that in addition to the 20-time English champions Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have been linked with him.
With an attractive £ 29.8m release clause, it doesn’t seem like a hard-to-get move from Old Trafford’s point of view, let alone its own stance. “Playing in the Premier League is not just a dream of mine, but a dream of every footballer,” Sangare told De Telegraaf recently. “This is the biggest and most important league in the world.”
Sangare wants to move to the Premier League
Jurrien Timber – Pau Torres
As Ten Hag roams his homeland in search of the best deals, a look at Spain promises more success in the defense department. With Timber indicating that another campaign at Ajax would allow him to develop further before making the leap to one of the top five leagues in Europe, Torres seems ready for a move right now.
After spending his entire career at the Villarreal children’s club, the center-left has established himself as a regular in his country and unconditional with Unai Emery. Recent appearances in the Champions League semi-finals, Torres has been proposed to move to Manchester for more than a year.
Although Tottenham have also been labeled as interested, the Red Devils’ hiring team has consulted with Ten Hag about a possible swoop, putting them in pole position to sign him. Recent claims from Spain suggest that United are already planning a £ 50million bid, similar to the one demanded by Ajax for the less tested Timber.
Torres has long been the target of Man Utd
Alessandro Bastoni – Josko Gvardiol
In a much shorter transfer saga to which the red devils are accustomed, Inter Milan’s Bastoni rock, another left-back, has committed his future to the Italian giants, having been linked with a transfer to Old Trafford throughout June. Given the ages of Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane, it’s no wonder Ten Hag wants to plant the seeds for United’s defensive future, and potentially that’s why two goals have been linked to Timber and Bastoni.
A less talked about alternative is the feeling of RB Leipzig Gvardiol, who has come to life in the Bundesliga like a duck in the water after his bewildered transfer from Dinamo Zagreb last summer.
Left-handed, a physically dirty and exceptionally comfortable with the ball, the fact that the Croatian is only 20 years old but so accomplished is amazing. Three years younger than Bastoni and seemingly much more affordable, Leipzig will be preparing for offers this summer and the Red Devils should appreciate their opportunities.
Gvardiol is one of the most highly regarded defenders in Europe
Antony – Arnaut Danjuma
Another Ajax star that Ten Hag hopes to bring with him from Amsterdam arrives in the form of Antony, one of the most exciting young extremists in Europe. The 22-year-old enjoyed a spectacular season under United’s new coach last time, especially in the Champions League.
But at a price of £ 55 million, perhaps another star who shone on the biggest stage can find joy on the flanks of Old Trafford. Villarreal winger Danjuma scored 16 incredible goals and assists in 11 games while Emery’s side reached the final four, but the Dutch international may return to the Premier League just a year after leaving Bournemouth.
Also linked with Liverpool, the Red Devils are believed to be following in the footsteps of Danjuma, who has even stated that he has work to do in the Premier League. “There are definitely things left for me in England,” the 25-year-old told Sky Sports. “If you look back at the reasons I joined Bournemouth initially, it was for me to play Premier League football.”
Join the debate! Who should sign Man Utd this summer? Give us your choices in the comments section.
Danjuma has “pending matters” in England (
Image:
REUTERS)
Darwin Núñez – Gianluca Scamacca
Undoubtedly, the most painful disappointment that Ten Hag and his teammates will suffer this summer is Núñez’s imminent decision to join Liverpool. The old enemies of the Red Devils seem to have defeated them with the signing of the Uruguayan, as they are ready to meet the asking price of £ 85 million for Benfica in a record deal.
While Cristiano Ronaldo can certainly lead the line for another term, Old Trafford bosses will be keenly aware of the lack of a long-term striker solution. Names like Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Victor Osimhen and Moussa Dembele have been released, but the goal of Arsenal Scammaca is a hidden gem that should be taken into account after a season with Sassuolo in Serie A.
Now a full-fledged Italian international, the 23-year-old scored 16 goals in the league with his midfield team and looks like the ideal modern striker. Raised on the defenders at 6 feet 5 inches, Scamacca is also mobile and a runner willing, throwing himself into the channels to sniff the goal.
Ten Hag worked well with an equally impressive striker at Ajax to Sebastien Haller, proving that he knows how to get the best out of a great flexible man. Potentially available for just £ 34 million, United can flex their muscles and at least win this race.
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