What has gone wrong at Man Utd?
Erik ten Hag has only overseen three transfer windows as Manchester United manager, but he’s sanctioned 16 deals at a combined price surpassing £400million. Some have been hits, some have been misses, but the jury is still out for most. That’s to be expected, given he’s only 18 months into a long-term project.
Ten Hag has had a prominent say in United’s transfer business since taking to the Old Trafford hot seat, working alongside John Murtough at the head of the club’s football department.
His role will likely decrease once Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes a £1.3billion deal to buy 25 per cent of United and take control of sporting operations.
A sporting director is expected to be among the first appointments in Sir Jim’s INEOS-led structure, with Paul Mitchell reportedly in the frame.
So, it’s a good time to reflect. Express Sport ranks Ten Hag’s 16 United signings, assessing the good, the bad and the downright ugly…
16 – Jack Butland
He came, he saw, he… didn’t play a single minute. Jack Butland replaced Martin Dubravka in January, but David de Gea was ever-present after his arrival.
15 – Altay Bayindir
Like Butland, Altay Bayindir arrived in the summer to provide Andre Onana with backup. But he, too, is yet to pull on the No 1 shirt he inherited from De Gea.
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14 – Antony
Ten Hag made Antony the second-most expensive signing in United’s history last summer, splashing £85m to reunite with the Ajax star. The 23-year-old winger has produced a measly eight goals in 54 appearances since.
Antony is significantly one-footed, unable to take his man on down the outside, and possesses the finishing ability of a player worth not even half his fee. He currently represents a black stain on Ten Hag’s judgement, and reports that he has already lost his faith are no surprise.
13 – Mason Mount
Mason Mount has been described as Ten Hag’s Donny van de Beek, and it’s easy to see why. There’s a player worth £60m in there, but club captain Bruno Fernandes occupies his favourite position.
Mount’s fee could’ve addressed one or two of United’s many problem positions. He can’t play alongside Fernandes in a midfield three or in a double pivot. And Ten Hag has realised that, already relegating him to a bench option. Baffling.
12 – Martin Dubravka
Dubravka featured twice at the start of United’s Carabao Cup-winning campaign, keeping a clean sheet in one and conceding twice in the other. Newcastle United terminated his loan midway through. Fans weren’t devastated.
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11 – Wout Weghorst
Ten Hag needed an emergency striker in January after Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive exit. The Glazers’ restricted budget didn’t exactly leave the striker market at his mercy.
So, he looked to Wout Weghorst, a Burnley striker on loan at Besiktas. And, yeah, it went as well as it looks on paper. He shared a wholesome relationship with fans but wasn’t quite as good at scoring goals.
10 – Marcel Sabitzer
Another emergency signing in the same transfer window, Marcel Sabitzer completed a rapid switch to Old Trafford after Christian Eriksen’s injury blow against Reading in the FA Cup.
United unsurprisingly didn’t turn the Austria captain’s move permanent in the summer. He didn’t disappoint, but his technical ability was a downgrade on Eriksen.
9 – Sofyan Amrabat
United were reportedly far colder than Ten Hag on Sofyan Amrabat before green-lighting an £8.5million season-long loan on deadline day. He’s shown some bright signs, but those doubts have somewhat been justified.
Amrabat doesn’t seem to possess the quality to help United control midfield battles as a regular starter. But he should prove to be a valuable squad member in Casemiro’s injury absence.
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8 – Andre Onana
Andre Onana will shoot up this list in the coming months if he continues the recent trajectory of his performances. He’s settling at Old Trafford.
But while he’s a clear upgrade on De Gea in terms of executing Ten Hag’s desired style, the 27-year-old has produced some costly mistakes in the opening few months of his United career. He’s 5/10 all over.
7 – Sergio Reguilon
No one could’ve predicted that Sergio Reguilon would be playing for United this season until the days leading up to transfer deadline day. Injuries Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia made it happen.
Reguilon’s shown bright sparks since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur, but he, too, then suffered an injury. He didn’t play well on his return to the starting lineup against Newcastle United, and Ten Hag opted for Diogo Dalot at left-back at Fulham.
6 – Tyrell Malacia
Tyrell Malacia, Ten Hag’s first United addition, was a relatively low-risk signing, costing £14m from Feyenoord. Luke Shaw is firmly first-choice when fit.
Malacia’s made 39 appearances and has produced a selection of commendable displays, most notably in last season’s 2-1 win against Manchester City.
5 – Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans’ return to United in 2023 was beyond the realms of possibility a few months ago. His status as Ten Hag’s fifth-best addition so far is even more of a surprise.
Evans has been exposed at times against tougher opposition. Ten Hag’s decision to start him over Raphael Varane in the last two league games has raised eyebrows. But he’s provided solid cover, and his assist for Fernandes’ winner at Burnley will live long in the memory.
4 – Christian Eriksen
Christian Eriksen physically struggles to complete 90 minutes at this stage of his career, which impacts his technical quality and marks him down. But as far as free signings go, he’s been a hit.
Eriksen heavily contributed to Ten Hag’s successful maiden season at United and has made an impact off the bench on more than one occasion this term.
3 – Casemiro
If this list was based on last season, Casemiro may well have been top. If this list was based on this season, Casemiro may well have been bottom.
He was a goliath last season, forgetting the several games he missed through suspension, and scored in the League Cup final win against Newcastle. The 31-year-old’s form has fallen off a cliff over the summer, though, and a £70m transfer fee for one elite season looks worse by the game.
2 – Rasmus Hojlund
Like many names on this list, the jury is well and truly still out on Rasmus Hojlund. Based on facts, £72m for a striker with no goals in his first eight Premier League games is a concern.
But based on potential, Hojlund has the makings of a United great. He’s already displayed that in the Champions League. Ten Hag just needs to find a way to get more service into the 20-year-old, and more goals are bound to flow.
1 – Lisandro Martinez
United’s 2022/23 season seemed to fall apart when Lisandro Martinez suffered an injury in April that he still hasn’t fully recovered from in November.
After a sticky start to life in England, Martinez quickly cancelled out doubts over his height with impressive aggression and an eye-catching passing range. United sorely miss him at his best.
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