Erik ten Hag needs to find ways to sell players who are surplus to requirements at Manchester United.
It isn’t an easy task – as United have learned down the years – to push players out of the club. There has been a reluctance from some senior figures, but could we be seeing change thanks to the way Ten Hag pushes to get what he wants?
Ed Woodward’s exit helps United but it remains to be seen if Richard Arnold can steer the ship any better. The jury is still out and all fans just want the takeover process complete at this stage.
However, Ten Hag must focus on preparing his squad for the new season. That will involve buying more players and sell those he no longer wants.
According to The Independent, Ten Hag is ‘intent’ on offloading Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay, Jadon Sancho and Fred in the ‘next two weeks’.
United need to raise funds this summer after spending £55m plus £5m on Mason Mount from Chelsea. We are in a position where we need to sell before we can buy again, should the club bring in big-money signings such as Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.
One thing is certain, though. We need to step up our efforts to offload some of the deadwood.
It is also claimed that Sancho could be used as a makeweight to try and bring Harry Kane to Old Trafford this summer. The England winger will struggle for game time at United next season because he is already behind Antony in the pecking order for right-back. Plus, Amad Diallo or Facundo Pellistri are expected to fight for the back-up role and Sancho is one of the club’s highest earners.
Can you see Sancho getting more games on the left or through the middle? No, not really. It’s food for thought.
When it comes to Maguire, I can see him staying put until January at least – unless an offer comes through the letterbox for his signature.
Meanwhile, I always looked at Fred and Scott McTominay as players we should be looking to upgrade in the transfer market. Fred more so as we’ve seen with the arrival of Mount.
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We need to sell players quickly and bring in another midfielder, Caicedo or Amrabat.
We may also need another CB , Disasi or Ignacio …