Manchester United’s new manager, Erik ten Hag, is likely to have a busy summer as the club seeks to rebuild after a dismal season in 2021-22.
United will play Thursday night football next season, but it is unclear if it will be in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League. If United win Crystal Palace on Sunday, they will finish in the Europa League; however, if they lose, West Ham will leapfrog them if they beat Brighton and Hove Albion.
Whatever tournament the Reds wind themselves in next season, new acquisitions are badly needed and expected. According to MEN Sport, United may offer Ten Hag between £20 million and £200 million in the summer to rebuild his squad.
With that in mind, the Daily Express has identified five prospective additions for the Dutchman this season at Old Trafford.
Lisandro Martinez
According to the Manchester Evening News, a center-back is one of United’s transfer priorities this season. Jurrien Timber of Ajax has been linked with a move to England, but it is his present colleague Martinez who has been mentioned as a possible target.
Martinez has established himself as a stalwart in the Ajax team with Timber this season, and the Argentine may offer more value for money than his compatriot. The 24-year-old is thought to be available for £25 million.
Darwin Nunez
Ten Hag’s priority this summer will undoubtedly be to sign a top-tier forward, with United relying much too heavily on an aging Cristiano Ronaldo this season. Ten Hag will have seen firsthand how good Nunez can be, as the Uruguayan scored the game-winning goal to knock Ajax out of the Champions League earlier this season.
With 34 goals for Benfica, United will almost certainly have to pay a high price for the 22-year-old. With reports claiming he might be available for £51 million, he is likely to be a more cost-effective alternative for the Reds.
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Sasa Kalajdzic
Another striker will be needed to replace the void left in their forward line next season, and Kalajdzic might be a wild card. This season, the 6ft7′ target man nearly avoided relegation with Stuttgart after missing the majority of the season with a shoulder injury.
However, the 24-year-old was essential in the later stages of the season, with his six goals in 15 games ensuring that Stuttgart escaped the relegation play-off in the Bundesliga on-goal difference. If he does not sign a contract extension, he might be available for £16 million.
Yves Bissouma
Brighton fans will be disappointed to see Bissouma leave this summer, but the Seagulls may be forced to sell him. The Malian center midfielder has already shown that he can be an important player for a Premier League club.
With Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips expected to earn high prices this summer, Bissouma might get as little as £20 million. United can afford to add another midfielder to their ranks at that price.
Frenkie de Jong
De Jong is a possible signing for Ten Hag’s second midfielder. According to rumors, the Barcelona midfielder would like to rejoin Ten Hag at Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Nemanja Matic, and Juan Mata are all poised to quit the club when their contracts expire in the summer. Reds fans will be salivating if De Jong joins after mastering a wonderful relationship with Donny van de Beek at Ajax.
