New Old Trafford boss wants a total of five new signings this summer, but strength in midfield remains top priority
Erik ten Haag has made it clear to Manchester United that they need to deliver both Frankie de Jong and Christian Eriksson this summer, a pair seen as crucial to their Old Trafford rebuild.
Ten Haag wants to fill his United team with more technically talented players than in recent years, with ball-capture key to the system he plans to implement at the club.
United are, therefore, ready to pursue their search for de Jong, with the Barcelona midfielder’s valuation being the main stumbling block so far.
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The Red Devils were under the impression that an offer in the region of £51m ($62.5m) would be enough to persuade the Catalan to sell, but figures of around £86m ($105m) have been quoted instead.
target However, it is learned that a deal with the add-on could fetch between £64–73m ($78–90m).
While United are adamant, they will turn their attention to other goals if they cannot strike a deal, target can confirm that his interest in free agent Ericsson is an addition to de Jong, rather than a substitute.
Why does Ten Hag want both de Jong and Ericsson?
Ten Haag plans to completely change United’s style of play, instead of the counterattack football played under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.
He believes he needs better ball manipulators than the current one, and has tasked football director John Murtaugh to deliver a more cultured midfielder than his predecessors.
The departures of Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have also left him with plenty of gaps to fill in his first transfer window at the club.
While he is happy to be working with a squad that is leaner than in recent years, there is an acknowledgment that United will need to be heavily active this summer.
How will de Jong and Ericsson fit into Ten Haag’s Man Utd XI?
De Jong is United’s primary target as Ten Haag believes the 25-year-old has a skill unlike his current squad.
The Netherlands international will be used to taking the ball deep into position and moving it forward, either with his feet or with his impressive range.
United have not had the type of midfielder since the retirement of Michael Carrick, with Matic being the more destructive and inconsistent use of the ball by Fred.
Ericsson is also very comfortable collecting the ball in tight spaces to reduce pressure and maintain possession.
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The former Tottenham playwright is also more of an attacking threat, and could play as a conservative No 10 or in a deeper role, as one of the dual No 10s alongside Bruno Fernandes, making United more versatile in terms of their formation. is allowed to happen.
Which other players are Man Utd targeting this summer?
Ten Haag is looking to sign five new players this summer, with midfield a priority.
He also needs at least one forward – and has already seen prime target Darwin Nunez joining fierce rivals Liverpool.
inter ka Denzel Dumfries Ten Haag’s primary defensive target, Jurien Timber, is believed to have decided to stay at Ajax.
pau torres Villarreal, therefore, has another option that is being considered as a center.
Ten Haag also praises Ajax winger antoineAhead with RB Leipzig Christopher Nkunku,
United also hoping to sign Derby County prospect Malcolm Ebiowicz Soon, the Kishore winger was out of contract with the Rams and is unlikely to stay in League One after his relegation.
Abiowei is being seen as a star, and United are looking to beat a long list of potential suitors for his signing.
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