The sheer irony of Manchester United staff expressing concern about the growing involvement of Erik ten Hag’s agent Kees Vos in transfer activity at Old Trafford when it is something the club clearly let happen.
The Daily Mail has done a report tonight revealing that Vos’ Sports Entertainment Group (SEG) has become the go-to agency in negotiating player signings and sales for Manchester United.
This won’t be news to anyone who listens to the Strettycast, though. I have long explained that SEG, especially Mr Kees, was given too much power at United when Erik ten Hag was appointed.
Ten Hag’s son, Nigel, is also employed by the agency as an analyst.
The report outlines that SEG worked on player sales and signings during a busy window which saw United spend £178 million on four new arrivals.
SEG represented Rasmus Hojlund during his £72m move from Atalanta, with the Danish striker joining the agency towards the end of last season. They also acted for United in negotiations over the loan signing of Sofyan Amrabat from Serie A side Fiorentina.
Moreover, SEG were involved in selling United player Zidane Iqbal to Utrecht in June just two months after the 20-year-old joined from fellow major agency CAA Base.
It came as no surprise because this was a club that previously saw Ed Woodward hang his coat off major players in the agency game. One summer we signed three of the late Mino Raiola’s clients including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
How did that work out?
The truth of the matter is it’s a dangerous game jumping into bed with one particular agency and it’s not something a club the size of Manchester United need to do.
SEG’s influence at United is felt but it also raises questions about John Murtough’s role. I mean, what does he really do? Perhaps if he took responsibility the club or Ten Hag wouldn’t need to lean on SEG.
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