Manchester United generally do not make signings in the winter window, believing that clubs are reluctant to let go of real talent in the middle of a season. This time, however, there is a pressure to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manager Erik ten Hag told reporters at United’s training camp in Spain during the world Cup break he wants to add to his attack: “We do everything in our power. We research every opportunity and we do everything we can if that opportunity arises to contract them.
Right here, Athleticism is looking at the possibilities of moving in and out next month, and who will make the final call for tenders.
Window expenses for the last three months of January
2022: £0
2021: £0
2020: £47 million
How much money is likely to be available this month?
Since the summer, when United went over their budget by £100million, this winter window has been seen as a preservation window rather than a boost one. United’s first quarter financial results detailed the scale of the problems – overall debt close to £1bn, with just £24.3m in the bank (in June 2019 they had £308m ).
But Ronaldo’s departure intensifies the need for a centre-forward and Ten Hag could still exert his influence on recruitment to see the money made available. Agents wonder what United is on sale means for signings, but some think it would make sense for the owners, the Glazer family, to once again tap into the revolving credit facility to improve the company’s footballing chances. Champions League next season. Qualification after missing out on this season would increase the value of the club.
Who makes key signing decisions?
Ten Hag’s voice is the most important on the identity of the targets – it exercised a crucial influence on the pursuit and the cost of the Anthony in the summer, but he works alongside a recruiting team that is increasingly data-driven. Ten Hag has a good relationship with director of football John Murtough, and the ultimate signing comes in Joel Glazer. This will continue even during the potential United ownership talks, with ‘business as usual’ being Old Trafford’s mantra.
Joel, the most involved of the Glazers in club affairs, continued to communicate with general manager Richard Arnold about the management of United.
Erik ten Hag dominates transfers (Photo: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Steven Brown, United’s head of recruiting, oversees recruiters and gathers information. Dominic Jordan, the club’s first director of data science, scrutinizes the statistics. Murtough’s deputy Andy O’Boyle is also involved in the talks.
Murtough takes the lead in negotiations with agents and executive counterparts, with Arnold occasionally stepping in when large sums are involved.
Which position is the priority?
Finding a striker to match Ten Hag’s ideal was the overriding requirement even before Ronaldo’s exit last month. Antoine Martial could do the job but has already been sidelined with three different injuries this season. We can’t count on him.
Marcus Rashford played up front but is more effective coming from the left, and he may well be needed there with doubts over Jadon Sanchois back. teenager Alejandro Garnacho we would expect them to have more playing time, and Antony and Anthony Elanga are options on the wings, but the situation is quite difficult.
A right side to compete Diogo Dalotwho had started 20 of United’s 21 games this season before missing his first game after the World Cup against Burnley in the Carabao Cup last Wednesday, could be another requirement. Aaron Wan-Bissaka He had played just four minutes all season before being named in the squad to face Burnley but acquitted himself well, including his first assist in 18 months.
Ten Hag then said: “It is clear that Wan-Bissaka has a future. He had good years at Man United and since the start of this season he has had a lot of illnesses and injuries. From the restart, he is in good shape and he was able to train with the team.
It was a position Ten Hag wanted to reinforce in the final days of the summer window, with talks over the United States international Sergino Destwho moved to AC Milan rather lent by Barcelona.
What are the plausible targets?
Cody Gakpo was again discussed. Personal terms agreed by United With his representatives this summer and the player himself was ready to move, only for Ajax to raise Anthony’s price, which prohibited further spending. Since then, Gakpo has enjoyed a good World Cup, and Ten Hag’s fondness for him has remained. Staff in the Scouting Department are aligned with this thinking.
Gakpo’s best position is on the left wing, although he started in the middle for the Netherlands in Qatar. The uncertainty over Sancho means flexible players will come in particularly handy.
This summer, PSV Eindhoven hinted that a €50m bid would be required for Gakpo, a sum protected by his current contract until the summer of 2026. PSV are also aiming to win the Eredivisie title for the first time in five years and believes Gakpo is central to that goal. There are, however, suggestions that they have to sell, so there may be some wiggle room.
Ten Hag is with the same agency as Gakpo. Athleticism Murtough has been said to have met SEG agency CEO Kees Vos in Carrington over the past fortnight. Voss is a regular at Old Trafford and the couple see each other regularly.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, his PSV counterpart and former United hero who himself swapped the Dutch club for Old Trafford 21 years ago, said last week: “If I have the choice, I prefer (he leaves in) summer, but it can also be now. You know, there comes a time when you just can’t say no.
Whatever money is spent will come out of the summer budget and Ten Hag must decide, together with Murtough and Joel Glazer, if this is the right decision.
United could opt for a cheaper and more experienced striker.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting’s contract at Bayern Munich expires in June, so the Cameroon international – who turns 34 in March – could be available. Summer 2015 buy Memphis Depay, now at Barcelona and on February 29, was offered to the club in the previous window. However, there are few attractive options in this mold.
At right-back, United have spotted Bayer Leverkusenit is Manchester City University diploma Jeremiah Frimpong. But they are only expected to be looking for a loan signing in the position.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting could be another short-term striking option for United (Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Who could go out?
Wan-Bissaka was available in the last window and United will also listen to offers now. crystal palace made contact on bring the 25-year-old back to Selhurst Park but weren’t ready to make a bid close to the £50million fee United paid for him to move in the opposite direction in 2019.
Under the circumstances, Murtough convinced Ten Hag to think more about Wan-Bissaka to see if he could regain his previous good form, but his only premier league appearance so far clashed liverpool in August as an 86th-minute substitute. He did, however, start the two recent friends in Spain, before continuing against Burnley with Dalot out after picking up an injury in Portugallast game of the World Cup. Dalot, which had been moved Joao Cancelo in the Portugal team, he will not stay on the sidelines for long. A loan departure seems most likely for Wan-Bissaka.
United are also expected to hold talks on brandon williamswho returned from injury in those games against Cadiz and Real Betis. Williams has been loaned out to Premier League wrestlers NorwichCity last season and it may be that a permanent transfer now makes more sense, with Ten Hag’s view of the situation being influential.
Axel Tuanzebewho had two periods of loan to AstonVilla and Napoli last season, is available. But he is currently working on his way back to fitness after the injury. Tom Heaton may want to secure regular football after falling behind Martin Dubravka in the picking order.
Which World Cup star would be perfect for United?
An alternative to Gakpo is Goncalo Ramos.
Replacing Ronaldo in Portugal’s starting line-up for a World Cup knockout tie and then instantly scoring a hat-trick in your first international start shows he has a granite mentality, as he finishes this game against Swiss was sharp as a razor. His all-around game was also good.
It continued a productive season for the 21-year-old, who emerged from the summer sale of Darwin Nunez to Liverpool to score 15 goals for Benfica.
Ten Hag likes Ramos, but again cost would be a factor.
(Top photo: Goncalo Ramos, Cody Gakpo, Jérémie Frimpong; all Getty Images)
0 Comments