Man Utd target rubs salt in Erik ten Hag’s wounds after boss broke his own transfer rule

Manchester United’s Woes Deepen as Ollie Watkins Thrives at Aston Villa

Erik ten Hag’s woes at Manchester United have intensified following their third defeat in five Premier League matches, this time at the hands of Crystal Palace.

Adding salt to the wound, Manchester United’s summer transfer target, Ollie Watkins, has hit a rich vein of form for Aston Villa.

As reported by The Athletic, Ten Hag had initially pursued a ‘no-risk’ transfer policy for the summer but failed to secure his primary targets.

Manchester United had entered the summer transfer window with high hopes of signing Harry Kane to bolster their forward line.

Ollie Watkins, the Aston Villa standout, emerged as an alternative target for United, having concluded the previous season with an impressive tally of 15 Premier League goals.

However, Villa, with two years remaining on Watkins’ contract, proved reluctant to part ways with their star striker.

Club legend Stan Collymore even humorously suggested a fee of £100 million plus Marcus Rashford in exchange for Watkins, given his outstanding performance during the season.

In contrast, Manchester United invested £72 million in Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is yet to open his Premier League scoring account.

Hojlund’s goal drought continued during United’s 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford over the weekend.

Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins is enjoying the form of his life, netting a hat-trick as Aston Villa crushed Brighton 6-1 on Saturday.

The 27-year-old’s impressive displays have also caught the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate, who was present at Villa Park to scout the talented forward.

Recent rumors suggest that Watkins is on the verge of extending his contract with Villa, a move aimed at dissuading potential suitors in the upcoming January transfer window.

When asked about the ongoing contract negotiations after the Brighton game, Watkins remarked, “I just try to let my football do the talking. My goal is to score goals and help the team win. What happens off the pitch is separate.”

Erik ten Hag will be banking on Rasmus Hojlund’s improvement in form as he continues to target defensive reinforcements for his squad.

Reports indicate that Manchester United is keen on securing a new center-back when the January transfer window opens.