It has been a baptism of fire for new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag. Since his announcement as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's replacement in April, many people have been wondering how the Dutchman would fair with the step up to the Premier League.
Unfortunately for the new Red Devils boss, the start to his United career has been as disastrous as one could expect for a 'post-Ferguson' outfit. Not only has Ten Hag's side struggled on the pitch, the men above the man in charge have been typically lackadaisical when it comes to bringing bodies through the door.
In between Solskjaer and Ten Hag there was of course German tactician Ralf Rangnick. During his spell as interim manager, Rangnick went on record stating United needed as many as 10 new additions to their ranks. Since then, however, the German has exited his advisory role at the club and just three players have joined the Red Devils.
While fans of United would have expected an overhaul of the club following a disappointing sixth-place finish last-term, that simply has not materialised. It hasn't been for the want of trying though, with hundreds of names being mentioned in the press as possible new recruits. As one would come to expect with United, the business has been slow and lethargic.
In the two weeks that remain in the transfer window, one has to ask: What on Earth has gone on at Man United this summer?
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The never-ending Frenkie de Jong saga
It has been no secret for many years that Manchester United have been lacking quality in midfield. Even with the additions of the likes of Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes and the ill-fated return of the enigmatic superstar that is Paul Pogba, the Red Devils have still struggled to dominate Premier League midfields.
The most obvious reason for this is the lack of a quality 'number six', or someone who can screen the back four. Academy graduate Scott McTominay and Brazilian Fred just aren't good enough at providing protection for the four men behind them. Despite this, Erik ten Hag's first port of call in midfield came in the form of fellow Dutchman Frenkie de Jong.
Now, whilst De Jong is a world-class midfielder, he is no 'number six'. However, it is understandable why United have spent so long trying to acquire his services. Despite agreeing an €85million fee with FC Barcelona, the Red Devils have failed to agree personal terms with the Dutchman; mainly due to their lack of UEFA Champions League football. With fellow English club Chelsea now sniffing around, the move looks less likely than ever.
Ultimately this all begs the question: Why haven't United signed an alternative? 100 days since their first contact with De Jong and all the Red Devils have to show is the signing of Dane Christian Eriksen. While this is a savvy piece of business, with players like Ismaël Bennacer of AC Milan and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic available, you can see why United fans are frustrated.
Algerian Bennacer would be a fantastic choice in the place of De Jong. Being valued at almost half the price of the Dutchman on transfermarkt.com, Bennacer could provide some much needed class to a United midfield devoid of ideas.
🎩 @IsmaelBennacer in scioltezza. #MilanUdinese @acmilan pic.twitter.com/nYSqAH8or7
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) August 17, 2022
Christian Eriksen is a fine player, but he is a short-term fix for a long-term problem. Hopefully in the few weeks that remain, Erik ten Hag can find the man he is after.
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Missed target after missed target
It's not just Frenkie de Jong that United appear to have missed out on. Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez was said to be Ten Hag's number one target heading into the window to provide competition to wantaway forward Cristiano Ronaldo. This was just an example of what was to come for United fans.
Following Nunez, United missed out on Ajax starlet Jurrien Timber, RB Leipzig bound wonderkid Benjamin Šeško, Frenchman Adrien Rabiot and former Stoke and West Ham player Marko Arnautovic.
While it appears United may have dodged a bullet with the Serie A duo in Arnautovic and Rabiot, it is never good when a board doesn't back their manager. Manchester United's current said is flailing and way below par, the lack of movement in the transfer department is worrying to say the least. Having been picked apart by Brentford and Brighton respectably, the Red Devils will need reinforcements.
Perhaps the most intriguing case of the summer would be that of skilful Ajax forward Antony. United had been linked with the Brazilian at the start of the summer, only to be priced out of a move at €80million. Recently, however, the Red Devils have been prepared to match this price. This has lead to many fans questioning the clubs' recruitment policy and wondering why this move couldn't have happened in the first place.
Even if the Antony deal does go through, many United fans are going to be left wondering what took so long. In a summer where change had to happen and it had to happen fast; United have moved at their typical canter rather than the gallop required.
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Their incomings
Whilst it hasn't been the exciting, all guns blazing summer United fans would've hoped for, their signings have been good. The aforementioned Christian Eriksen is a magnificent piece of business, on a free from Brentford. The Dane has already proven his quality in a United shirt, performing particularly well in the defeat to Brighton.
Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia looks a tidy pick-up from Eredivisie side Feyenoord. Whilst we haven't seen much of the 23-year old, he played a couple of excellent games in pre-season for the Red Devils. He offers an entirely different dynamic to current starter Luke Shaw, providing a much more direct-attacking style.
Finally it seems United may have solved their left centre-back issue with the bullish Argentine from Ajax, Lisandro Martinez. Nicknamed 'The Butcher', Martinez is known for his aggressive style of play. Despite standing just five foot nine, he has proven his aptitude in the air. While many fans were quick to say the Argentine struggled winning his aerial duels, the stats would suggest otherwise, highlighting his excellence.
Perhaps most exciting for United fans is the imminent arrival of Real Madrid star Casemiro. The 30-year old Brazilian looks to have finally solved a hole in United's side since the departure of club legend Michael Carrick. Casemiro is due to join the Red Devils for a fee that could rise to €70million, should all conditions of the add-ons be met.
Casemiro will likely replace Scott McTominay in the Reds starting lineup. Football data website fbref.com shows that Casemiro ranks in the top 10% of defensive midfielders in Europe when it comes to passes attempted per 90, with almost 66. The Brazilian also manages to complete an impressive 87% of the passes he attempts. Meanwhile, McTominay attempts just 48 passes per 90, with a marginally worse completion rate at 85%.
More importantly for United he adds a winning mentality to the dressing room, joining the club on the back of Real Madrid's Champions League final victory, dispatching the Red Devils bitter rivals Liverpool 1-0 in Paris. Fans Man United will be hoping he can elevate their side to trophies once again.
Luckily, for United, there are still two weeks of the transfer window remaining. Whilst there is still time for the Red Devils to make some inroads into the teams above them, the recruitment staff must improve their strategy for future years; because it doesn't seem as if fans of the club can take this style for much longer.