Erik ten Hag probably doesn’t have time to watch Sky Sports News, but if he did the Manchester United boss might chuckle at seeing Premier League rivals scramble for signings.
Liverpool and Chelsea meet at Stamford Bridge this afternoon and the pair have spent the last few days exchanging blows in the fight for a midfielder. Jurgen Klopp’s side seemingly won the auction for Moises Caicedo but the Ecuadorian rejected their proposal in favour of a move to London, which now looks imminent.
The Merseyside club have been in constant talks with Southampton for Romeo Lavia and have come to within a couple of million pounds of the Championship side’s £50m valuation. But Chelsea seem to be sticking their oar into those negotiations as well.
Ten Hag had three major gaps to fill at United and he had done exactly that by last weekend. Rasmus Hojlund was unveiled as the club’s new No.9 ahead of the pre-season friendly win over RC Lens, following Mason Mount in midfield and Andre Onana between the posts.
It’s been a pretty good summer window at Old Trafford, albeit but not yet perfect. Ten Hag admitted at the end of his side’s US tour that he was open to further arrivals, and two more should do the trick.
Further signings were always going to be dependant on departures, and Harry Maguire’s potential move to West Ham would open up a gap in defence. United have accepted a £30m offer from the Hammers and it is now up to the player to decide.
Contact has already been made with potential replacements, reportedly Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard and Jean-Clair Todibo of OCG Nice. At 27 and 23 respectively, both are in a better age range for a third/fourth-choice centre-back than Maguire and both would be an upgrade.
Pavard would bring with him the experience of four-and-a-half years with Germany’s top club, not forgetting a successful World Cup campaign with France, and the versatility to play right-back when needed. Todibo is more of a risk but has shown potential to be one of France’s top central defenders for the next decade.
The other major exodus at United looks set to be in midfield, with Fred joining Fenerbahce in a €15m deal while Donny van de Beek will likely leave. Ten Hag was open to offers for Scott McTominay but fears of Kobbie Mainoo being out for two months could see the Scotland international stay on.
Nevertheless, cover and competition for Casemiro in defensive midfield has been highlighted as an area to strengthen. Sofyan Amrabat has been a consistent point of interest all summer and remains so, with his eventual exit from Fiorentina looking likely.
Everton’s Amadou Onana has emerged as a late contender to fill the gap and the Belgian has been the shining light in an otherwise dismal 12 months at Goodison Park. His driving power in midfield would also provide a different profile to that currently in Ten Hag’s squad. Both represent good options.
United don’t have the money nor squad space for all four, but one in each position of defence and midfield would provide an upgrade on what is currently available. Cover for Casemiro and a replacement for Maguire would cap off an already strong transfer window at United, taking it from good to perfect.
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