Manchester United are just 11 days out from the start of the Premier League season and Erik ten Hag still has two major doubts hanging over his head.
On the whole, United’s preparation for the 2022/23 season has gone well. Ten Hag has begun to get his philosophy across to his players. There were promising signs on the pitch, where United beat Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace and drew with Aston Villa. Everything in Ten Hag’s hands has begun to move forwards. The problem is the stuff out of his control.
The news cycle around United recently has been dominated by two topics: Cristiano Ronaldo and Frenkie de Jong. Both have developed into long-running sagas and both are threatening to undermine the new manager’s work on the training pitch.
The transfer window staying open until September 1 is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, clubs are given leeway – they can begin their seasons and then implement contingency plans if need be. On the other hand, it can be a distraction – a sideshow which affects performances and turns heads.
Ten Hag has been characterised as a perfectionist by some and as a control freak by others. “I think I have a clear idea about strategy,” he explained during a Q&A on July 18. “The way I want to play football but also in the way a top football club has to be structured. We talked about those ideas and we agreed on the structures and the way we play football.”
Whether he is a perfectionist or control freak, Ten Hag is unlikely to enjoy the current state of affairs at Carrington. He returned from Australia on the weekend to be immediately greeted by enough drama to fill a few episodes of a soap opera.
On Tuesday he had his first face-to-face meeting with Ronaldo after the 37-year-old returned from Portugal to receive clarification over his future at the club. To muddy the waters even further, Sir Alex Ferguson was on the scene to add his considerable weight to the conversations.
Ronaldo wants to leave United this summer. United, publicly at least, want to keep him. The 37-year-old is essentially handcuffed by his own colossal wages, which mean only a handful of clubs in the world could even finance a move for him. But if you thought Ronaldo’s on-pitch behaviour last season was a hindrance for the club, then he might be about to step things up a gear this campaign.
When Ten Hag was confirmed as manager all the chat was about whether Ronaldo could fit into his pressing style. Now it is all about whether he can keep hold of him. To make matters worse, things are even more convoluted when it comes to Ten Hag’s priority transfer target De Jong.
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Two months after the saga started, Barcelo na are still refusing to sell the former Ajax midfielder and the tangled web of finances in Spain mean United are surely approaching a deadline. They must either make Barca an offer they cannot refuse, or walk away and move for an alternative.
De Jong was put forward as a transfer target because he is already well versed in how the United boss wants his team to operate. On the eve of a new season – and the start of the new era – Ten Hag is without such a player.
“We're looking for a player who can play in the holding midfield position, but it has to be the right one,” he explained earlier this month. “There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position.”
That is easier said than done – a phrase which can be applied to the Ronaldo situation too. United have had months to get their ducks in order and have failed to do so on two important points. Ten Hag could be left to pick up the pieces if they are not resolved soon.
