Manchester United fans have told the club’s owners how much money they need to give Erik ten Hag if they are to have a successful summer.
A plethora of players have already left the club upon the end of their contracts, most of them midfielders. Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic have all waved goodbye to Old Trafford and Ten Hag will need to find good replacements.
United fans seemingly agree. Most of those who voted in a Manchester Evening News poll said midfield is the area that needs strengthening most.
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Of the 4,700 votes cast, 65 per cent chose that position, while nearly 30 per cent said the defence needs the most reinforcement. After this season’s dismal efforts, United are targeting a top four finish next term.
And to achieve that, yet more players could leave. Around 66 per cent of supporters said that, overall, more than seven first team players need to leave. Just over a quarter feel five to six personnel need to be shown the door while just 0.3 per cent said two departures or fewer will be enough.
No Champions League football next season makes attracting top players hard and therefore makes Ten Hag’s task tougher than it might have been. Just under 52 per cent of fans think the Glazers may need to give the Dutchman up to £200m this summer to support his overhaul. Meanwhile, 44 per cent said that Ten Hag may need to spend more than this.
And, answering a separate question in the poll, 65 per cent of voters believe the owners’ main priority this year is to provide enough funding for transfers rather than revamping Old Trafford or improving fan relationships.
The fans have sent a pretty clear message to the Glazers and Ten Hag: A lot of work needs to be done before the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
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