Manchester United are looking to sell up to nine players this summer as they plan to redesign their squad for next season.
The big question is, will Erik ten Hag still be the Man United boss to oversee this new era for the club?
Those who watched Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City will probably say no.
United ultimately survived by the tiniest of margins before then rescuing themselves in the penalty shootout that followed the 3-3 draw.
And whilst the players need to take responsibility as well, Erik ten Hag hardly enhanced his own reputation.
Rio Ferdinand was baffled by the manager’s decision to sub both Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo in the second half.
And if these final few weeks of the season are acting as an extended audition for Erik ten Hag to prove his tactical vision to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, well it wouldn’t be a surprise if he wasn’t convinced.
All that being said, journalist Mark Ogden has just provided an insight into United’s plans for a squad overhaul this summer.
Manchester United will struggle to sell the likes of Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer
Speaking on the BBC’s ‘The Tuesday Night Club’, Ogden explained United’s predicament.
He said: “Over the last two or three years their prize money and commercial revenue has decreased, in the sense that they are not bringing in as much money as they used to do.
“But they spent a lot more money. Even Man United, they are the richest club in the world in terms of what they generate, but they can’t just keep spending money.
“They have to find a way this summer to improve the squad without spending a lot of money. They have to move players on.
“Now what I have been told is that there are probably seven, eight, nine players who they would let go but there is no market for them.
“There is no money in Spain, no money in the Premier League, Saudi Arabia there is some money but Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are not going to Saudi Arabia, it’s not the players they are looking for, possibly Casemiro.
“But United have a lot of players who they want to shift but they can’t because they haven’t got anyone who will take them off their hands.”
Erik ten Hag’s squad building hasn’t been good enough
Of course, whether Manchester United are able to raise the funds needed to buy players or not, Ten Hag has perhaps demonstrated that he’s not the man to lead the rebuild.
The Dutchman can’t take sole responsibility for the club’s recent failures in the transfer market, but the fee spent on Antony still feels pretty unpalatable to this day.
If Dan Ashworth does come in then things should improve in that respect, but does the current United manager deserve another chance?
Perhaps not. Someone like Thomas Tuchel could be much better positioned to lead this new era, a move that would really mark a fresh start.
All that being said, United are said to be considering a move for a Serie A centre-back who has been celebrated for his passing ability.
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