Man Utd have clear two-step plan to unlock Erik ten Hag’s dream transfer window | Football | Sport
Manchester United must take two more steps to hand Erik ten Hag his dream transfer window of recruitment. After a manic maiden summer in 2022, Ten Hag has profited from a streamlined strategy over the last two months, which could culminate in a fourth and final recruit before the deadline.
United financially backed the Dutchman before his first campaign, splashing over £200m across six signings.
However, it wasn’t until the Red Devils suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening two Premier League games that the Glazers freed up more funds to provide him with the necessary reinforcements.
This summer, it’s been a different story.
Before United’s pre-season tour opener against Arsenal, Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount and Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana were already with the squad in the United States.
And Ten Hag will have bolstered three priority positions before the 2023/24 campaign commences if Atalanta striker Rasmus Hojlund is unveiled as his third arrival this week, as expected.
Hojlund’s acquisition will launch United’s expenditure to £179m, but Ten Hag wants to eclipse the £200m mark for a second successive summer.
The Red Devils boss is reportedly keen to sign another midfielder in the final month of the transfer window, with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat high on the agenda.
And the 26-year-old is said to have rejected interest from Saudi Arabia as he waits for a Premier League switch.
To unlock a pursuit of Amrabat, United must raise funds through sales, with Fred and Donny van de Beek in the shop window.
Galatasaray are in talks over Fred, while Real Sociedad are eyeing a deal for Van de Beek.
In Ten Hag’s eyes, the task will be straightforward. Make room by offloading one of his current midfield duo, if not both.
That would help United complete the plan’s second stage and accelerate their plans to make Amrabat capture No 4.
Mount, Onana, Hojlund and Amrabat would be widely considered a roaring success 12 months after United’s chaotic dealings.
And the quartet would put Ten Hag in a good position to progress rather than regress after a promising maiden season at the helm.
United sealed a third-place Premier League finish, lifted the Carabao Cup and reached the FA Cup final to lay the foundations of Ten Hag’s project.
With a stronger squad this term and one more signing potentially on the way, there will be hope for an improved league campaign and Champions League run in some corners of Old Trafford.
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