4-man Ten Hag transfer shortlist – No-2 must sign: Four free agents Erik ten Hag may sign to save millions

Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag understands his team needs to improve if they want to compete for the Premier League title next season. And, with the Glazers likely remaining at Old Trafford, it’s possible the Red Devils will be constrained in bringing in new recruits. As the summer transfer window approaches, Express Sport looks at four players the club could target for a free transfer.

Karim Benzema
Manchester United is looking for a new center-forward this summer.

Wout Weghorst has fallen short of expectations, Anthony Martial has been sidelined by injury, and Mason Greenwood is still unavailable for selection.

Karim Benzema is widely expected to sign a new Real Madrid deal, but no agreement has been struck as of this writing.

If Los Blancos win the Champions League one more time, the Frenchman may feel he has accomplished all possible at the Bernabeu.

And reuniting with old teammates Raphael Varane and Casemiro at Old Trafford might lead to a Hollywood ending for him.

Marcus Thuram
Marcus Thuram was linked to Manchester United in January as the club looked for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who left in November.

Weghorst eventually arrived instead.

Thurham, on the other hand, is a gifted forward who has scored 13 goals in 27 Bundesliga outings while also contributing five assists.

There has been speculation that the 25-year-old could join Bayern Munich due to Sadio Mane’s unclear future.

However, United may be able to offer him regular game time right away, which could work in their favor.

Tielemans
Youri Tielemans is an odd example.

Despite long being a steady performer in the Premier League, nobody has approached the Belgian international as his contract with Leicester expires.

United was linked on transfer deadline day in January when it was revealed that Christian Eriksen would be out for a while.

And it’s possible they’ll pursue Tielemans once he becomes a free agent.

United is looking for another midfielder, and the 25-year-old with Premier League experience could be a good fit.

Wilfried Zaha

United previously signed Wilfried Zaha in January 2013, making him Sir Alex Ferguson’s penultimate signing.

He was eventually sold back to Crystal Palace for £3 million after failing to live up to expectations.

Since then, Zaha has thrived, routinely helping Palace punch above its weight in the Premier League.

His contract is set to expire in the summer, and with Ten Hag growing frustrated with Jadon Sancho, a spectacular return would benefit all sides.

What recent free agents has United signed?
Eriksen joined United on a free transfer in the summer when his contract with Brentford expired.

And the Dane has been excellent at Old Trafford ever since, rapidly establishing himself as a reliable Ten Hag player.

They signed Edinson Cavani in 2020.

Though he would eventually fall behind Ronaldo in the club’s pecking order, his 17 goals in all competitions during his debut season with the Red Devils made him a shewd signing.

However, arguably the finest of the bunch was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who led the team to Europa League and Carabao Cup victory after joining from Paris Saint-Germain in 2016.