Manchester United’s summer transfer deals are all currently looking like good business, with manager Erik ten Hag working wonders.
The early success of two players, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen is particularly encouraging.
These are the type of deals United have swung at and missed in recent years, and fans have sensibly called for a longer term approach.
Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are both 30-years-old, and the fear was that United were moving for both players past their peak.
On early look, this is far from the case. Casemiro and Eriksen have both been absolutely outstanding, establishing themselves as regulars.
With both players in the team, Manchester United have become a team capable of regularly dominating games in midfield, instead of spending the majority of matches chasing the ball.
Concerns well founded
A move for Christian Eriksen was low risk, on a free transfer. But there was still a possibility the Dane would simply end up mimicking Juan Mata’s last few years at the club, as an ageing back-up.
The worst case scenario for Casemiro was Bastian Schweinsteiger. A player who gave the best years of his career to another European giant, and left just as he was on the downturn.
The last big player United signed in a similar age range was Alexis Sanchez, one the most disastrous signings in recent history.
The trend in European football in recent years has seen players aged 18-25 becomes the ‘must haves’, and players at 29 and above, in particular, considered past their peak.
But consider that Karim Benzema has just won the Ballon d’Or at the age of 34, and Robert Lewandowski should have won it the previous year at the same age, then it is clearly wrong to categorically dismiss a key part of the market.
Biggest fears now fixed
Manchester United learned in 2012 that a top player at the age of 29 can still make an impact, with Robin van Persie coming in at his peak and leading the team to a title.
While he faded too quickly afterwards, some of this can be attributed to the changes in management in 2013 and 2014.
United appear to have got it right this summer. The deals for the 30-year-old duo is offset by signing Antony and Tyrell Malacia, both 22, and Lisandro Martinez, 24.
The trouble with Manchester United is that the demands of the club make it very hard to develop young signings in the way an RB Leipzig can.
United took swings at Amad and Facundo Pellistri in 2020, and neither have been able to make an impact. United have a famed youth system, but it is harder than ever for players to make the jump.
The need to blend experience and youth is essential. Erik ten Hag’s Ajax side leaned on the know-how of Dusan Tadic, Nicolas Tagliafico and Daley Blind, in addition to the many young players giving energy to the squad.
It would have been easy for United to insist on younger signings. This might even have been a strategy actively pushed by Ralf Rangnick. And certainly there was an element of risk attached to both Eriksen and Casemiro.
The test for both players is to maintain their form and impact into next season, and the one after, beyond just the opening two months to this season. But so far, they have surpassed expectations.
Their success has been cathartic for United. Had they failed, on top of previous poor signings in their age range, it could have been the last straw.
Instead, United will continue to be open-minded in the market, considering players who can make an impact immediately, in addition to longer-term investments.
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