Manchester United’s underwhelming start to the season has intensified suggestions that Erik ten Hag needs to dip back into the transfer market before the summer deadline. But despite the Dutchman’s reported desire for at least two more incomings, United need to offload more deadwood before that’s possible.
United kicked off the new campaign with a 1-0 win over Wolves at Old Trafford but were the inferior side, with Ten Hag’s midfield coming under particular criticism.
The Red Devils weren’t so fortunate at Tottenham Hotspur, wasting glorious chances in the first half before collapsing in the second, losing 2-0.
It has fuelled claims that Ten Hag wants to add a new midfielder and forward to his squad in the next two weeks to avoid regressing in his second season at the helm.
But ownership uncertainty and FFP limitations mean United have tested their limits by splashing £179million to sign Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund this summer.
And the Old Trafford giants need to sell before sanctioning further incomings, which will make Ten Hag twitch with the deadline looming large.
Seven of his players have been concretely linked with exits in recent weeks, and he will be keen for some of them to complete moves.
The Mail report Dean Henderson is in talks over a potential switch to Crystal Palace, which would be a season-long loan with an obligation to buy if certain terms are met.
It’s also claimed that Fulham are ready to give Eric Bailly the opportunity to stay in the Premier League after being banished from Ten Hag’s plans.
The ship seems to have sailed for Scott McTominay’s potential departure after United rejected a £30m offer from West Ham. He’s valued at £45m, but Ten Hag is said to be willing to keep him around if that price isn’t met.
The United boss is more open to cashing in on Harry Maguire, though, after pushing him to the periphery of his centre-back options and stripping him of the captaincy.
United accepted a £30m approach from West Ham for their No 5, but his refusal to leave for the London Stadium resulted in Ten Hag missing out on a significant injection into his transfer kitty.
Ahead of the defeat at Tottenham, Ten Hag confirmed that Brandon Williams and Donny van de Beek were out of the squad because they could leave soon.
Given the desire for a new midfielder, Van de Beek’s exit will be particularly significant. United’s hopes of signing Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat are said to rest on whether they can ship another player in the position.
And the Red Devils are also said to be waiting for a big-money offer from Saudi Arabia for Anthony Martial.
Ten Hag is allegedly happy to keep him, but with less than a year left on his current deal, an enticing bid could pave the way for another new forward to arrive.
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