MY ACCOUNT
Manchester United must start being active in the transfer market amid links to the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Christopher Nkunku, otherwise they risk failing to rebuild under Erik ten Hag.
That is the message from United great and television pundit Gary Neville, who warned that late transfer activity will only make Ten Hag’s task tougher.
Ten Hag faces a sizeable rebuilding job after inhering a United side that finished with their lowest ever points tally in the 2021-22 Premier League campaign.
The Red Devils also failed to end a league campaign with a positive goal difference (zero) for the first time since the 1989-90 season.
Paul Pogba is heading for the exit door at the end of June when his contract expires, along with Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata, as Ten Hag looks to leave his mark at Old Trafford.
Reports have linked United to numerous players, such as Nkunku, De Jong and Christian Eriksen, while Ten Hag’s former Ajax players Jurrien Timber and Antony have also been floated as options.
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice and Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres may appear more far-fetched options, but Neville says United must get to business otherwise their already difficult task will become even harder.
“The others seem set and ready, yet United can’t get moving,” Neville wrote on Twitter on Thursday.
“[Ten Hag] needs his group together [as soon as possible] to mould them. Bringing them in late will only make it harder for him. [Fingers crossed] it happens soon!”
Ten Hag will hope to have a busy transfer window ahead of the first Premier League game of the 2022-23 season when United will host Brighton and Hove Albion on August 7.
It will be the Dutchman’s first competitive game in charge of the Red Devils, who will play their opening top-flight match at home for a sixth straight season – the longest current run of any Premier League side.
