MAN DOWN Man Utd fans facing summer of misery with boss Erik ten Hag’s transfer plans already looking
OH, what joy it is to be a Manchester United fan at the moment — and not because of those three trophies at the Etihad, either. Even the most diehard Red knows their FA Cup final loss was a 2-1 hammering and no one can argue Manchester City, the best team in the world, aren’t worthy European champions.
Manchester United's transfer plans are uncertain amid the ongoing takeover saga. Credit: PA
But, while a Sky Blue Treble didn’t help, it’s not the reason every United supporter I’ve spoken to looks like they’ve found a quid and lost a tenner. It’s the prospect of another transfer window opening to a chorus of bold promises?only for them to prove as empty as Tottenham’s trophy cabinet. Fair enough, we’re only four days in, so there is plenty of time. But there is already a feeling of gloom at how it’s going to pan out. This is the summer, remember, when Erik ten Hag’s rebuild really takes shape. When a host of deadwood — and there’s plenty — is replaced by men fit to wear the shirt.
Because for all his first season was better than expected, with a third-placed finish and the League Cup, there was still a sense of make do and mend with a lot of the players. Seeing Jude Bellingham holding up a Real Madrid shirt was no real kick in the teeth. He was never coming to Old Trafford — why would he? So no major disappointment there. But then the news was leaked that United were no longer pursuing Harry Kane. Oh, and they wouldn’t be in the bidding for Declan Rice either. Even the deal for Mason Mount — supposedly all but signed and sealed — had failed and the Chelsea star wouldn’t be heading north.
Instead just a growing realisation that, Champions League football or not, nothing much had changed in the transfer stakes. When Sir Alex Ferguson retired, the shrewdies warned at the time that David Gill’s departure would have just as devastating an impact. How right they were. Gill, for all he was often an easy target for fans, knew how to get transfers done. Very rarely did they fail to get a target over the line when he was doing the negotiating. Nowadays no one seems to know with 100 per cent surety who’s actually responsible for sealing a deal.
Erik ten Hag's rebuild is on hold as Manchester United expect their new owners. Credit: Getty Oh, and don’t forget there is still no sign of the “it’s close to being agreed” takeover going through any time soon. So not even the optimism of knowing a decent kitty which new owners would bring is on the horizon either. The reality is increasingly and painfully clear: Ten Hag’s only chance of spending serious dough is going to come from sales. And that’s easier said than done. United would be delighted to offload Harry Maguire, who the manager just doesn’t rate, simple as that. Fair play to him for keeping schtum, by the way, for all his disappointment. But where does he go? Another season of splinters in the backside from sitting on the bench looks likeliest. Certainly more than the England centre-back finding an acceptable new home.
Will they find a buyer for Fred, for Scott McTominay, for Anthony Martial? For David de Gea if he doesn’t agree to the reduced-terms deal on the table? That’s before we even get to the players still on the books who haven’t been near Old Trafford for 12 months. Anyone remember Eric Bailly and Alex Telles? The way it’s going, you’ll see a lot more of them again soon.
Maybe United’s money men will suddenly surprise us all. Maybe they’ll pull a rabbit out of the hat and there he’ll be, a shiny new superhero ready to lead the revolution.
But then again, maybe not. Still, they can always bring Wout Weghorst back for another season..
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