The Devils are testing fans’ patience.
While Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham already have major newcomers (and some with more than one), Manchester United, which is most in need of a staff renewal after a disastrous season, had not made a transfer only. This means that Erik ten Hag will have to build new players during the pre-season, which only complicates the task of the new Manchester United manager. But the lack of transfers raises concern not only among the fans, but also within the team: in particular, the passivity of the club could affect Cristiano Ronaldo’s plans.
Manchester United expect Criro to stay at Old Trafford
Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent allegedly met with new Chelsea boss Todd Boeli last week. A sensational transfer is still a long way off, but the leakage of information when it comes to such cases could not be accidental. The Portuguese star tells Manchester United about her displeasure. Cristiano was ready to leave Old Trafford after the team failed to qualify for the Champions League, but Erik ten Hag managed to convince the owner of five Ballon d’Ors.
It was about Ronaldo’s role in the team and sporting ambitions, which so far have not been confirmed in any way. Today at Manchester United preparations for the new season are underway and Eric ten Hag is expected to have between 12 and 15 players in his first training session. Some of the players have left United, the collections including Ronaldo will come out of the holidays later due to participation in League of Nations matches. Either way, the image isn’t too optimistic.
Ten Hag has repeatedly stressed that he wants to keep Ronaldo in the squad, but for this the Mancunians must give the Portuguese a reason to return to Manchester United in the next week in the form of a powerful transfer. Cristiano is ready to stay, but only on his terms, and if he firmly decides to leave, the contract valid until next summer will certainly not keep him. With his passivity, the club can deprive ten Hag of Ronaldo’s support, which the Dutch manager secured after personal communication with the striker:
I know our new manager has done a fantastic job at Ajax. He is a competent and experienced specialist, but he also needs time and trust. Everything in the team must be subject to his decisions. Of course, I hope ten Hags succeed, because if they succeed here, then Man United will. So I wish him all the best, we believe that next year we will win the trophy together.
Closer to the acquisition of Frenkie De Jong
After a failed campaign, Manchester United fans would have lost half of the squad had they had free rein, but a pragmatic approach suggests that Manchester United’s transfer strategy should be modified to avoid qualifying for the Champions League. We need systemic transfers and purchases from two or three points in the cage. The purchase of De Jong should mark the entire transfer window: ten Hag has already worked with the Ajax midfielder, Man United need a midfielder after the farewell of Pogba and Matic, and De Jong can become a system player in a team used to living in chaos.
The completion of this deal will cheer up the whole squad and club, so it’s very important for Manchester United to bring Frankie to Old Trafford. According to the latest information, talks with Barcelona are progressing positively, with confidence growing in Manchester that another talented Dutchman will arrive in the city. He helps that Barça need the money, so the Catalans need to be more accommodating. The clubs are close to a compromise on the amount of compensation.
At the same time, Manchester United are in no hurry to conclude an agreement, evaluating at each step the reasonableness of the conditions placed on the other side. New Mancunian CEO Richard Arnold recently opened up to fans and admitted that the club has been absurdly “burning money” for years. From this practice Manchester United he will refuse, but it is important not to rush to the other extreme: the stingy and slow people usually don’t get the players the team needs. And Frankie De Jong really needs Manchester United.
Interest in Eriksen, Martinez and Anthony continues
De Jong is the Red Devils’ main transfer target, but there are other players that Ten Hag wants to coach. In particular, Eric has a desire to attract Christian Eriksen to Old Trafford, who has returned to football after a health collapse at Euro 2020. The Dane has no contractual obligations towards Brentford, but there are human ones, plus the Eriksen family is comfortable in London, and Christian himself wants to have guaranteed playing practice first world Cup-2022. Manchester United discusses the details of the contract with the Dane’s representatives, but the last word remains with the player.
Ten Hag is also aiming to transfer two of its former sides: Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez and Ajax forward Anthony. Acquiring a central defender is seen as a priority, although United must seek opportunities to strengthen every line and position. Both Martinez and Anthony are open to discussing a move Manchester United to a familiar manager, but the arrangements seem rather complicated given Ajax’s reluctance to sell these players and United’s new tactics, which include “don’t overpay” and “take your time” clauses. Well, better than spending recklessly and inviting players who don’t have football at the top of their priority list.
