Erik ten Hag reviews Brighton
Manchester United could’ve made Erik ten Hag’s striker dream happen in the summer transfer window if the club’s sale went ahead as initially planned, according to Fabrizio Romano. Ten Hag reportedly identified Harry Kane as his priority striker target but failed to bring him to Old Trafford due to budget limitations.
In November 2022, the Glazer family announced a strategic review that included a potential sale of the club or a majority investment.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani soon emerged as the two leading candidates for a potential takeover.
Several US hedge funds also made their interest known in case the Glazers opted for minority investment, allowing them to retain control at Old Trafford.
Ten months on, the process has gone quiet as a sense of uncertainty lingers about the future of United’s hierarchy.
Fabrizio Romano reports that developments are ongoing behind the scenes, but the parties involved are opting to keep it that way.
However, he has claimed that the takeover was originally planned to go through before the summer transfer window, which would have handed Ten Hag a welcome financial boost.
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Sheikh Jassim pledged to clear United’s soaring debt that has accumulated under the Glazers’ watch since their controversial takeover in 2005.
It’s believed that would’ve freed up more transfer funds this year by easing the club’s Financial Fair Play restrictions, which have become a prominent issue at Old Trafford after years of careless investment.
But the report adds that United had to concede early defeat in their hopes of completing a blockbuster move for Kane, switching strategies because it would’ve left little room to complete other deals.
Ten Hag needed spare change for a new starting goalkeeper and midfielder, with David de Gea out the exit door and Fred soon to follow him. United also couldn’t afford a dragged-out saga after their Frenkie de Jong disappointment a year earlier.
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United splashed £179m to sign Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund before the season started. Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon, Sofyan Amrabat and Jonny Evans followed in low-cost deals with little budget left to spend.
And despite Ten Hag’s disappointment with missing out on his priority transfer target for a second successive summer, he is said to be happy with United’s transfer business.
Hojlund has particularly impressed, showcasing a commendable level of professionalism and potential aged 20.
But United’s turbulent opening stages of the season suggest Ten Hag could’ve done with a signing of Kane’s ilk that may have propelled his side to the Premier League title picture.
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