The 2023 summer transfer window has only been open a matter of days but Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has already hit a few stumbling blocks.
The Dutchman has a lengthy list of positions that he wants to bolster ahead of next season including at striker, centre-back, in goal and in midfield. United’s summer transfer splurge looks set to be expensive - and how much they spend could very much depend on the ownership situation at Old Trafford.
With the stopwatch already ticking on the current window, it looks like Ten Hag will have to get creative to solve a number of problems at United. With that being said, here are the most pressing questions that he needs to answer before deadline day:
Which striker?
It is well known that the Red Devils want to add a big-name striker to their squad this summer. They signed stop-gap option Wout Weghorst in January but he did not impress enough to secure a permanent switch.
Their prime option was Harry Kane but United have been forced to pull out of the race for his services after being put off by Daniel Levy’s demands. There are other options on the table including Victor Osimhen, Goncalo Ramos, Rasmus Hojlund, Randal Kolo Muani or Ollie Watkins.
None are expected to be cheap but it is down to Ten Hag to decide which will be the best value for money and who fits into the style that he is trying to implement at Old Trafford the best.
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Who replaces Maguire?
With Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane having established themselves as Ten Hag’s first choice and the Red Devils being linked to a few centre-backs, current captain Harry Maguire appears unlikely to have a future at Old Trafford. He has already been linked with a move to Tottenham.
Should Maguire leave this summer, then Ten Hag has a decision to make over the armband. There are a few candidates to assume the role including Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, so it depends on whether Maguire does indeed leave.
What about De Gea?
Another long-serving member of the current United squad who could leave this summer is Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea. The former Atletico Madrid star is out of contract and still has yet to agree fresh terms on a new deal.
Should the two parties fail to find an agreement, he will bring to an end a lengthy and successful spell at Old Trafford. Regardless of whether he stays, it appears that the Red Devils will find a new number one anyway.
Brentford’s David Raya is an option, whilst they also have a free run at Inter Milan’s Andre Onana after Chelsea decided to pull out of the race to sign him.
Do they really want Mount?
Whilst United need to strengthen in attack and in goal, one other position that needs alteration is in midfield. The Red Devils already have Casemiro at their disposal, whilst Christian Eriksen is a more than viable option.
Beyond that, they are low on back-up options. Mason Mount has already been strongly linked with making a move to Old Trafford but Chelsea have turned down the Red Devils initial bid.
United are expected to return with an improved offer but do not want to match the Blues’ £70m demands. It will be a case of how far the Red Devils are willing to go for his services.
How far does the exodus go?
With the Red Devils expected to be busy throughout the next couple of months, they might need to sell a vast array of players to supplement their transfer funds. That all depends on how many of the current squad Ten Hag believes are disposable.
Dean Henderson, Maguire, Brandon Williams, Fred and Scott McTominay could all be up for sale, whilst Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga could also both leave Old Trafford before the end of the transfer window. All of those players leaving could drastically decrease the size of the squad and provide crucial funds.
However, those sales might prove to be regretful should injuries start to bite over what looks to be a hectic campaign. Ten Hag might then be forced to keep a few of those players around, even if they don’t feature in his immediate plans.
