Manchester United are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid – a move which will see Erik ten Hag considerably strengthen his midfield after failing in a pursuit of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong.
Casemiro’s arrival, which is expected to be completed next week after the player undergoes a medical and obtains a work permit, means that Ten Hag has added four players to the squad.
United are expected to delve into the market further for the remaining 10 days of this summer’s transfer window and Ten Hag has now revealed the qualities he’s looking for in a new recruit.
“It starts with the basic stuff,” Ten Hag told the official Manchester United website. “[You have to be] reliable, have drive, have the motivation – [be] highly motivated.
“You [should] want to fight and you [should] bring it every day on the training pitch. You want to strengthen the squad. You are [part of] a unified club, a unified team and, most of, all you are prepared to win.”
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Ten Hag will be hoping that his new players come with the correct attitude and that could explain why, for the most part, he has tried to sign players he’s worked with in the past.
That theme was extended earlier this week when United revived their interest in Ajax winger Antony, who Ten Hag signed for the Amsterdam club in 2020.
In the latest update, it was revealed that United are considering a new bid for the 22-year-old after having an initial offer of €80m turned down.
SN’s verdict…
It’s completely paramount that Ten Hag is able to strengthen the squad to his liking between now and the end of the transfer window – it’s clear for everyone to see that the current group of players cannot execute his instructions.
United’s disastrous start to the season has highlighted just that and according to reports, he has now been handed a boost in his bid to reinforce United by the Glazer family’s sudden willingness to spend.
In Martinez, Casemiro and Antony, Ten Hag would be adding warriors to the squad – mentalities of steel. That’s exactly what United have been missing for several years.
