Erik ten Hag has been selected as Manchester United’s next manager, and the current Ajax manager faces significant transfer issues this summer.
At the start of this season, one of Manchester United’s greatest strengths appeared to be their attacking depth, therefore it’s natural that a season that has gone so drastically wrong ends with the current manager pushing for the club to recruit two new forwards this summer.
“To me, it comes down to the players Manchester United will have in the future. Manchester United, in my opinion, clearly requires two additional quality strikers “Ralf Rangnick stated following his club’s final home game.
“Modern strikers are not need to be strikers. Liverpool and Manchester City both boast an attack force of five or six world-class forwards. If you ask me if Gabriel Jesus or Grealish is a winger or a striker, I would say that they can both play in either position. Mason Greenwood would have been one, but he was dropped from the squad following the West Ham game.”
Rangnick noted Greenwood’s absence in his second press conference in a row, and considering the circumstances surrounding his suspension, Erik ten Hag will undoubtedly have to plan for life without him as well.
United will also lose Edinson Cavani this summer, Anthony Martial may make his exit permanent, and Marcus Rashford’s form has deteriorated to the point where a parting of ways appears to be in the player’s and the club’s best interests.
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What appeared to be a potent attack in September has been bolstered by Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, who has now scored 24 goals this season. Ronaldo and £73 million winger Jadon Sancho bolstered United’s firepower last summer, but Sancho has shown flashes of brilliance and has yet to resolve the right-wing dilemma.
Rather than that, he has appeared more dangerous on the left flank, cutting inside onto his stronger foot, but that is also a position chosen by Rashford and Anthony Elanga, the player who has benefited the most from Rangnick’s tenure.
The 63-year-old German will not fondly recall his time in charge, but his consultancy position will now focus on recruitment, and he is correct in his assessment that United require a more modern, dynamic attack.
Clearly, signing a forward capable of playing centrally to assist Ronaldo is a priority. However, the right wing remains a concern, and a left-footed right winger is required to truly balance this attack.
Almost every elite side now employs inverted wingers, but without Greenwood, United lack a left-footed forward in the first team squad, even if we exclude Amad, who had a catastrophic loan spell at Rangers.
Fortunately for Ten Hag, he may already have his eye on the ideal player. This season, his Ajax club has actually used two left-footed wingers. Dusan Tadic has played on his native flank and provided a steady diet of crosses for 6ft 3ins center forward Sebastian Haller, but Antony has been a magician on the right, slipping onto his stronger foot.
The 22-year-old has 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 appearances on the right, but an injury now appears to be preventing him from playing until the conclusion of the season.
His absence was felt strongly as Ajax fell to PSV Eindhoven in the KNVB Cup final, something Ten Hag appreciated.
Almost every elite side now employs inverted wingers, but without Greenwood, United lack a left-footed forward in the first team squad, even if we exclude Amad, who endured a catastrophic loan spell with Rangers.
Ten Hag is fortunate in that he may already have his eye on the ideal player. His Ajax side has actually used two left-footed wingers this season. Dusan Tadic has played on his native flank and provided a steady diet of crosses for 6ft 3ins center forward Sebastian Haller, but Antony has been a magician on the right, slipping onto his stronger foot.
The 22-year-old has 12 goals and 10 assists in 33 games on the right, but an injury now appears to be preventing him from playing until the season’s end.
Ten Hag enjoyed his absence as Ajax lost the KNVB Cup final against PSV Eindhoven.