MANCHESTER UNITED manager Erik ten Hag wants additional players before the transfer market closes on August 1.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, has signed three players thus far. Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, and Lisandro Martinez have joined from Feyenoord, Brentford, and Ajax, respectively. However, the Red Devils would also like to sign Denzel Dumfries, Frenkie de Jong, and Antony before the transfer window closes on August 1.
United has had a hectic transfer window thus far.
In addition to adding Malacia, Eriksen, and Martinez, the Red Devils have lost Edinson Cavani, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Lee Grant, Juan Mata, and Nemanja Matic.
Ten Hag is overjoyed to have landed Malacia, Eriksen, and Martinez, having insisted on all three players joining.
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But he still needs further reinforcements, and Dumfries, De Jong, and Antony are all on his radar.
So Express Sport will now look at how United would line up if they are able to bring the trio in within the next month.
De Gea, the goalkeeper
A lot has changed at Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
But David De Gea has been a steady presence in the team over the years and, at the age of 31, is still going strong.
Many predicted that the Spain international would be benched in favor of Dean Henderson at the start of the season.
But, with De Gea regaining his form, the veteran is unlikely to be demoted anytime soon.
De Gea is set to take over as United’s starting goalkeeper next season, with Henderson departing on loan to join Nottingham Forest.
Dumfries, Martinez, Maguire, and Malacia defend.
United is willing to sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka if a fair offer comes in, as the right-back has struggled for consistency since joining from Crystal Palace in 2019.
And if that happens, Dumfries might show up.
Interest in the Netherlands international appears to have resurfaced in recent days, with Italian media reporting that a deal might be done.
Malacia, who has impressed during pre-season, might replace Luke Shaw at left-back.
And Harry Maguire and Martinez might play together at the defense, with Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof relegated to the bench.
Midfield: De Jong, Eriksen, Fernandes
If De Jong is brought in, United will most likely play an offensive 4-3-3.
The Netherlands international might be used as a defensive midfielder, allowing the club’s attacking players to go forward while mopping up in the middle of the field.
Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes are expected to play ahead of the 25-year-old.
Eriksen’s ingenuity can help this United team since the former Tottenham and Brentford star is one of the finest in his position in the world.
And United will be hopeful. Fernandes regains his form after going hot and cold the previous semester.
Forwards: Antony, Ronaldo, and Sancho
So far in pre-season, Jadon Sancho has impressed on the right wing.
Ten Hag admires his former Ajax winger, and he could be moved to the opposite flank if Antony joins.
United have put their interest in Antony on hold for the time being, but late in the window, they may go all out for the Brazil international.
Then there’s Cristiano Ronaldo on top.
The United player wants to leave Old Trafford for a Champions League squad, but Ten Hag wants to keep him. With the Red Devils hesitant to give Ronaldo’s demand, it appears he will stay put.
