While a lot of teams in the Premier League will already be well into their planning for what’s going to happen in terms of business in and out in the summer transfer window, Manchester United may just be holding off temporarily until a final decision is made on manager Erik ten Hag’s future, and for good reason.
Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford has been the subject of discussion and speculation this season, with some believing the fifty-four-year-old will be relieved of his duties, especially since the minority takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe was confirmed and approved. The Dutchman is listed as the favourite to be the next top-flight manager to leave his post with nearly every top betting site online, and it’s unlikely this will change unless United are to go on and win the FA Cup.
There are multiple reasons why holding off on transfer plans until it’s decided whether Ten Hag will stay or go is the correct way to proceed, with one relating to Jadon Sancho, who United bought for big money from Borussia Dortmund but have subsequently loaned back to the German giants after a falling out between him and Ten Hag. Sancho having a future at Old Trafford appears highly unlikely under the former Ajax manager. Still, a new man in situ could change all that, and that would also mean the club won’t necessarily have to try and sell the winger or replace him.
United have also been assisted with recruitment previously by Kees Vos, Ten Hag’s agent, who has been involved in multiple players for the club, including Rasmus Hojlund, via agency SEM. While Ten Hag has repeatedly denied Vos has influence where recruitment is concerned, he’s someone he trusts and someone who has helped him bring in the players he wants. However, it is expected that Ratcliffe’s men on the ground, who will run the football side, will overhaul recruitment processes anyway.
But ultimately, most clubs want their manager to be on board with the decisions being made on players leaving and players joining, and while Ten Hag could give the thumbs up to matters on this front at this point, several months down the line, it could a different man in the hot seat, with different thoughts and opinions on these decisions. And if a new manager were to join, he would naturally want the say over these matters from the get-go, as they will prove pivotal in achieving the aims laid out.
So, for now, it might be a case of pencilling decisions in and then playing things by ear rather than anything more permanent. The last thing any new manager would want is to join a club in a big transitional period, and a lot of the decisions have already been made for him. And if Ten Hag stays, the powers that be can quickly confirm what’s been pencilled in and get the work started immediately to get ahead of the competition where possible.
