£125m double swoop would show Manchester United are serious about backing Erik ten Hag

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Erik ten Hag‘s first summer as Manchester United manager has got off to a strong start in pre-season on the pitch.

While the results (three wins and a draw) are largely irrelevant, the players look refreshed and are buying into the new manager’s methods.

This has been with only one new signing involved, Tyrell Malacia, a £13 million addition from Feyenoord.

To date United have signed Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez and sold Andreas Pereira for a net spend of £51 million. In terms of backing the manager, it’s been a lukewarm period of investment from the board.

READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23

Demands at Manchester United are always high

If the transfer window were to end now, with United investing £59 million total and £51 million net thanks to Pereira’s departure, then it would be hard to argue that the club have seriously backed Erik ten Hag in his first summer.

This could lower expectations on the manager, but let’s be real; demands at Manchester United are always high.

After a rancid Premier League campaign in 2021/22, United needed serious investment to start competing for top places again. The current signings are a step in the right direction – but nowhere near enough.

Fortunately there is still time to change this, and United are widely reported to be willing to commit serious funds to back the manager.

£125m double swoop would show Manchester United are serious

Manchester United have a deal ready for Frenkie de Jong. The Athletic report this involves a £63 million fee now, plus add-ons worth a further £8.5 million.

The hold-up for this move is at Barcelona’s end, amid a dispute over the player’s pay.

Separately, United are keen on Ajax winger Antony. 90Min report United are willing to spend up to £58 million to sign the Brazil international.

A double swoop for both players will cost approximately £125 million, and show serious investment from the board to back Erik ten Hag.

Neither move is considered to be dependent on the other, with the team requiring strengthening in both positions, although the latter move for Antony may hinge on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future.

This would take United’s spending up to £175 million in total, and at this point, a flow of sales would no doubt be ushered through to offset this.

Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, Alex Telles, Tahith Chong and Eric Bailly are all players United could sell and attempt to recoup £30-40 million.