Erik ten Hag’s move to Manchester United is now awaiting an official announcement, with The Telegraph reporting this could be as soon as next week.
United head off on pre-season tour in early July, and hope to have new signings on board. So it helps for the club to have clarity over the next manager, for the club to start progressing these deals, with his sign-off.
The team has gaps all over the pitch, and so there is a wide variety of player the team need to sign. We have separated the possible options into attacking and defensive players, and so here is a look at the top seven forward-thinking options as it currently stands…
Antony
Ten Hag knows Antony well, currently managing him at Ajax. Antony is set to head to Brazil for the World Cup an his value could soar. United would do great to snap him up early.
The Brazilian is at the top of Ten Hag’s wishlist, The Telegraph report, and at just 22, the winger’s best years are ahead of him.
This season Antony has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists, and together with Jadon Sancho, the pair could inflict plenty of damage on opposition defences.
Christian Nkunku
Recently capped France international Christian Nkunku is going to be in demand this summer just like Antony.
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ESPN reported last month Nkunku had been added to United’s shortlist of potential signings at Ralf Rangnick’s request. The attacker has 26 goals this season, plus 12 assists, 38 goal contributions in all.
His versatility could make him the perfect Ten Hag signing, able to lead the line, play wide or from deep, but it depends on what the Dutchman wants from his main striker. If he wants a traditional forward to fit along the other attackers, Nkunku is not it.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane would be the most expensive forward option for United, with Tottenham certain to angle for a £100 million fee or more.
The Athletic report Kane is ‘curious’ to hear United out, with his career approaching a crossroads. The prospects of this one being done depend on how the season ends.
If Tottenham are able to land Champions League football, then it becomes even tougher for United to do a deal for him.
Darwin Nunez
Looking for a replacement for Edinson Cavani, United should be looking towards his Uruguayan international forward Darwin Nunez.
The Benfica ace has scored 28 goals already this season, including against Liverpool in midweek, and he would not quite be as expensive as Kane.
Still only 22, Nunez scored the goal to knock Ten Hag’s Ajax out of the Champions League, so he knows exactly how lethal he can be.
Arnaut Danjuma
Arnaut Danjuma has been a revelation for Villarreal this season and scored against Manchester United back in September.
He continued his impressive form with a winning goal against Bayern Munich this past week, his 14th goal of the season.
Danjuma has also recently admitted he idolises Cristiano Ronaldo, which can’t hurt Manchester United’s cause.
Cody Gakpo
If there is one player Ten Hag will be worried about already, it is PSV Eindhoven rival Cody Gakpo, who can play across the attack.
The Mirror report United have been scouting him, and so they should. Gakpo has 17 goals and 15 assists this season already.
This would be a popular deal with Ajax, weakening a competitor, rather than taking his own best players with him.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham could fit into either of our attacking or defensive lists, he is that good. The prospect of him rampaging through the midfield to score goals puts him into this list.
Dortmund would be difficult to negotiate with, but every player has a price. Bellingham may cost United’s entire transfer budget, which probably would not be wise – yet in this case, he would be totally worth it.
- Erik Ten Hag’s managerial record and style of play
- Erik Ten Hag’s five most expensive transfers
- Ajax’s last five managers before Ten Hag and where they are now
- Five Ajax players Ten Hag could sign for Manchester United
- Ten Hag’s comments when Van de Beek left Ajax for Old Trafford
- Six key issues for Manchester United’s next boss
- The three biggest wins of Ten Hag’s managerial career