Manchester United still hasn’t made a move in the summer transfer market over a month after making a comeback to the Champions League.
Erik ten Hag said they needed “better players” to compete there when United defeated Chelsea 4-1 at Old Trafford on May 25 to win an instant return to Europe’s best club competition.
We require more, Ten Hag stated. We have a lot of work to accomplish because we are currently far away. We’ve come a long way, but if we want to fight for the best, our players must improve. But I make blunders like not having enough patience.
In an effort to act quickly in the transfer market, Ten Hag sat together with United head of football and technical director Darren Fletcher in early April to identify targets as well as outgoings.
These well-intentioned efforts, however, have come to naught because the Glazers won’t approve any spending until the takeover situation is settled, which is thought to have enraged Ten Hag.
The irritation of the United boss will be increased by rivals Manchester City’s hasty acquisition of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, Alexis Mac Allister’s capture by Liverpool, and Arsenal’s early pursuit of Declan Rice, a midfielder for West Ham.
While their direct competitors are completing their transfer business early, well before they report for pre-season, United are plagued by a well-known story of transfer market lethargy.
United has spent an average of £93.1 million on transfers in the summers following Champions League qualification since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement ten years ago.
However, because to their inaction in the market this summer, that amount nearly doubles to about £182 million in seasons during which they do not play Champions League football.
Even though United received more money for making the Champions League and from increasing sponsorship income, as ex-managers Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can attest, they have generally been more frugal.
Ten Hag has identified targets for each of the three areas he needs to bolster his team: striker, midfielder, and custodian.
However, Ten Hag’s options are limited as long as United’s ownership situation is unclear, and other teams are prepared to seize the opportunity and pursue the Dutchman’s transfer targets.
On Ten Hag’s short list for a striker, there is Harry Kane of Tottenham, Victor Osimhen of Napoli, and Rasmus Hojlund of Atalanta. For the midfield, there are Mason Mount of Chelsea, Frenkie De Jong of Barcelona, and Moises Caicedo of Brighton.
Since David De Gea’s contract expires on June 30 and no new conditions have been agreed upon, Ten Hag is trying to hire a new No. 1 custodian. Ten Hag’s choices include Diogo Costa of Porto, Jordan Pickford of Everton, and David Raya of Brenford.
Again, though, if United don’t act swiftly, they can miss out on prospects like Raya, who is reportedly close to joining Tottenham.
Ten Hag believes that the advancement made last season is being jeopardised by United’s inaction in the market. Ten Hag admits that he lacks patience. The Glazers are currently testing my ability to be patient to the breaking point.