Top 5 – Manchester United Transfer Targets
The transfer window is underway, and with it comes the inevitable attention-seeking headlines filled with nonsensical rumour, speculation and supposed ‘in the know journalism’.
Manchester United are so often the receiving party of the growing trend of football fans wanting to be the first to report on a big move, and thus they get linked with any and all players who have had a good game. If you happen to score a goal in Sunday league or even volley a screwed up piece of paper into a bin, you’re being linked for a huge sum to be ‘Erik ten Hag’s target’.
Well, what we are about to do may well fall into that cesspit of chaos, however like every football fan who complains about the ridiculous stuff they read, we can’t help but speculate. So, with that in mind, we’ve gone through the reports and rumours and picked out 5 top targets that Manchester United should be looking at.
Some of these suggestions are well known, and with good reason for the impact they could have at the club, and hopefully we will have one or two you’ve maybe not considered previously. We’ve tried to vary out positions (let’s face it, the whole squad needs a refresh), and put them in order of importance and urgency, but we are well aware that we are talking about Manchester United, where the word ‘urgency’ doesn’t seem to exist.
As always, if you agree/disagree with our suggestions, or think you have any other targets that Manchester United should be aiming at, let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) and tell us what you reckon.
5. Tyrell Malacia
Okay allow us this first one, as we had to include Malacia despite obviously now being announced as an actual transfer. He still counts as a transfer target and so we will include him in our list.
Now, just like most other football fans (if they’re honest), I hadn’t seen Malacia play in a full game that I can recall, however doing some research on the Dutch left-back, it begins to make sense why Ten Hag brought him to the club and why United have made him their first signing of the new era.
Personally, I wouldn’t have listed left-back as a priority position for the coming season (which is why Tyrell Malacia is only in 5th on this list) given the reliance and use of Shaw, Telles and the returning Brandon Williams as well as potentially youngster Álvaro Fernández who was the clubs’ U-23 player of the year in the previous campaign. However, I do understand that Ten Hag is building the club in his image, meaning that despite having options already in a specific position, he is making it clear that if you aren’t offering what he wants from you then there are plenty of other players he can bring in.
Despite the reservations of bringing in another left-sided defender, Malacia does bring a different set of traits which may allow some of the previous names to depart (mainly Alex Telles according to reports). The 22 year old Dutchman has spent his career at Feyenoord where he spent 9 years working through the youth ranks before becoming a member of the first team in 2017 where he has remained since. With 136 appearances of first-team football under his belt, United haven’t brought in a young inexperienced player in Malacia and he will look to challenge instantly for a spot in United’s squad. Just this season, he played in 17 of Feyenoord’s Europa Conference League matches which saw them just lose out to Mourinho’s Roma, however the left-back was included in the team of the tournament for his efforts across the gruelling campaign.
Additionally, he is experienced at international level, and has become a permanent fixture of the Dutch national side since making his debut late last year, and has featured in 4 games this year for the national team showing how even former United boss Louis van Gaal has confidence in the defender.
So, looking at why United splashed the cash to bring him to Old Trafford, and why he was always a Ten Hag target. When coming through the ranks, Malacia played slightly further forward at times, including a few appearances at wing-back and occasionally on the wing, showing a willingness to attack and be a creative outlet. As a part of this, he will look to overlap, drag markers out of position and switch things quickly in possession. With enough pace to recover if losing the ball high up the pitch, he has the confidence to play on the front foot and be a nuisance on the left side.
Ten Hag has made it clear previously he will want full-backs to be a part of the attack, and have confidence to start moves off and bring the ball forward, and Malacia is great at this. In comparison with Shaw who’s link-up with Rashford has hit a stumbling block recently, and Telles who perhaps struggles with the recovery and defensive work when losing the ball high-up, Malacia possesses pace and energy to get forward and back when needed. Looking at his 2021-2022 stats, his heatmap demonstrates how positive he is on the ball, with most touches being in the opponents half, around 2/3 of the way up the pitch. He’s focussed down the left flank and will allow United to come into the modern footballing world by using full backs as an attacking threat, which they have perhaps lacked.
With 50 shots in the Eredivisie last season, he is an obvious attacking force, with only 1 fewer shot that TAA of Liverpool for the season. However, he admits personally that he prefers and feels more comfortable attacking than defending, which perhaps will need to be worked on with Ten Hag, especially considering how physical some of the defensive work can be in a Premier League season. However, he does possess the physical attributes that suggest he will cope with adding and perfecting this part of his game.
With the physicality and agility of Shaw, and attacking intent of Telles, Malacia offers a good balance of the two, and although he won’t burst straight into the first XI, getting a player in like this despite the competition already in the squad is a real sign of intent from Erik ten Hag, and it will be perhaps an underrated signing when we look back.
4. Hakim Ziyech
Second on our list of targets, is one that hasn’t actually been spoken about by the main media outlets who love to create rumour, however when brought up in the terrific ‘Sensible Signings: Manchester United’ video from Tifo, it all seemed to make sense that United should look to quickly jump in and nab Ziyech from league rivals Chelsea.
Perhaps the move would appear slightly underwhelming, given how he has struggled at times at Chelsea and never dominated aside from occasional flashes, or it could be that AC Milan seem so intent on bringing him over to Milan that the move wouldn’t make sense financially, however there’s no doubt that Ziyech’s best football in his career thus far has been in his time at Ajax, under Erik ten Hag. In the 2018-2019 season, he was a huge part of the side that battled in the Champions League and Ziyech had his most prolific season, bagging 21 in 49 appearances. His 2020 move to Chelsea for around £40million is perhaps overshadowed with Chelsea bringing in the likes of Werner, Silva, Chilwell to name a few. Consequently, Ziyech has only managed 23 league appearances in each of his 2 seasons at Chelsea, and is struggling to earn a starting spot when competing with Pulisic, Mount and Havertz.
So, at potentially a cut price deal, Manchester United could bring in a hugely underrated attacking threat, with proven experience of working well under the manager, and 2 years Premier League experience where he has impressed at times but hasn’t been given a long enough run to make a huge impact that many hoped. I think the move would surprise some, but as a right-sided attacking player, he can be an attacking spark that wasn’t quite there in the previous season, leaving United relying on Elanga more than they would have hoped.
I can understand why the club might not go for this deal (hence his spot in 4th on this list), as the price may not work for the return they will get from the 29 year old, while they may have reservations about his struggles in the Premier League. Furthermore, United have a bundle of players who can play in the wide attacking roles, with Rashford, Sancho, Elanga, Diallo, Martial, Pellistri and possibly even Garnacho getting a shot in the position. However, Ziyech is versatile enough to play on the right or through the middle, and could be tried out left should United wish to give Sancho the right-side of the field where his best work was done in Dortmund.
Looking statistically why United would be interested, firstly let’s talk money, as he is being valued at just £25million currently, which could be easily met by United when compared to the £70-75million price tag placed on Anthony. Moving towards his records, he has netted 110 goals in 370 appearances, making him almost a 1 in 3 player which as a winger who is often left with cameo minutes is very impressive. More in depth stats show that he is averaging 3.96 crossed per 90 which is a big weakness in the current United attacking setup, especially if they are to keep a target man like Ronaldo in the midfield. Currently, the wide players try and do ‘too much’ individually and run into traffic, so having a wide player with crossing ability who can get the ball into the box (2.14 passes into penalty area per 90), whilst also maintaining a high level of flair and creativity to beat players and score would be a huge boost.
Furthermore, Ziyech has a huge strength in his set-piece’s, being a great threat from free-kicks (if he can get them from Ronaldo), and also his corner taking where United have been woeful for so long (again despite having a physical presence in Ronaldo, Maguire etc.) With he 3rd lowest set piece goals last year, United need a quick solution to this part of the game and Ziyech again ticks the box.
With Mata and Lingard departing, United need another player in either the left or right side of the attack, and if the club are wanting to plug several gaps in one window, then Ziyech offers a terrific short-medium term solution at a more reasonable fee than several other linked players.
3. Christian Eriksen
The third player on our list of targets where Manchester United should focus, is the Danish no.10 Christian Eriksen. After a triumphant return to football in 2022 when joining Brentford, he has become a free agent option which United are edging closer to securing. It’s another obvious target, and possibly similar to Malacia in how close the deal is to properly being completed, however this could be a huge coup and a massive bargain for Ten Hag.
Before even thinking about the on-pitch benefits, bringing in a big name and well respected talent like Eriksen is a great move for the new manager. Fans have seen what he can do at Spurs and last season at Brentford, and capitalising on a free agent deal which United breaks the trap of overspending hugely on disappointing players, instead bringing in an experienced squad player with enough years to contribute, all while fitting the Ten Hag regime. As United lost several attacking players already, the squad has gone from being full of bench warming talents, to now looking bare and reliant on youngsters, and so Eriksen solves this perfectly.
Moving onto the pitch, Eriksen offers United a creative outlet, making chances and goals from unlikely situations, he is a traditional and highly creative no.10, who could offer service to Ronaldo if he remains and allow him the ability to play further forward rather than forcing him to drift back as he did last year. Additionally, linking up with wider players will help revitalise Rashford, Sancho and Martial who can get in behind defenders and have a player who will pick out the key ball and set them through.
Obviously Bruno Fernandes has dominated the attacking midfield role for United since arriving and rightly so, however in a 40-50 game season with United wanting and needing to compete on all fronts, rotation will be key, and last season with Fernandes needing a break from the first XI, United had no other option to fill the gap, whereas Eriksen challenges for the first team place while offering a less chaotic option than Fernandes in terms of running all over to collect the ball, but will make things happen when he’s on it. Additionally, if Ten Hag wants to play the attacking 4-3-3 we expect and in games United will dominate, he could even try both Eriksen and Fernandes, with the later being allowed a free-role and the former being the outlet to the forward line. This would make United highly attacking unit and rely heavily on the defensive midfield role being filled, but it’s demonstrating the option and versatility that Eriksen can offer.
Last season in his return to the Premier League, Eriksen was strong statistically in every attacking department, maintaining 74.4% pass accuracy per 90, making 6.23 progressive passes and 5.08 progressive carried. Additionally, he averaged 2.11 shots per game, 0.38 assists and most impressively 5.08 shot-creating actions, highlighting his playmaking ability that perhaps the other options of Fernandes and even Van de Beek are lacking.
2. Serge Gnabry
Now we are into the good stuff, and in at number 2 on our target list again was influenced by the Tifo video on United signings, but again just makes so much sense that it’s hard to ignore and left us wondering why these links aren’t being explored.
Serge Gnabry has established himself as a quality and versatile winger/forward in Germany, reaching he level that was touted by the likes of Arsène Wenger early in his career. Moving from Arsenal (and his 1 year at West Brom under Tony Pulis), Gnabry left for German where he impressed at Werder Bremen and Hoffenheim before joining the dominant force of Bayern Munich. In his 4 years at the German champions, he has won just about everything and impressed hugely, including last season where he had his second best scoring season, netting 17 from 45 appearances.
This transfer may seem unlikely on the face of it, with neither the player of club indicating a move could happen, Bayern who will likely lose main attacking threat Lewandowski perhaps being unwilling to sell and many other clubs likely to join the race if Gnabry becomes available, however with only 1 year left on his current deal, could be tempted if the price is right.
With double figure scoring tally’s at his time at Bayern, he’s an obvious attacking threat, but also possesses some key attributes that Ten Hag will want from the wide attacking positions. With impressive athleticism, he is a willing presser of the ball, with 35.4% successful pressures and 0.59 tackles in the final third per 90 minutes, he clearly is capable and willing (which existing United players have struggled with) to win back the ball in the opponents third. Being able to encourage those around him and do the work that Ronaldo perhaps lacks at times defensively, Ten Hag will be able to build from the front as he likes to do.
In an attacking threat, he is a menace, getting goals and assists frequently for Bayern and the national side, while his attacking play in general is to be admired, running at defenders with the ball and creating chances, with 3.29 carries into the final third per 90. His international record makes even better reading as he has netted 20 in 34 for the national side.
With issues over the wide positions at the club currently, Gnabry will either fill in the right hand side, or could take over the left and allow Sancho to reclaim the right flank as he had at Dortmund where his best work was done, and Rashford and Martial (if staying) can either compete for places or begin eyeing up the central striking role.
This move more than any other on the list would excite supporters and perhaps offer the biggest surprise, however if they can pull their finger out, they have an opportunity to snap up an almost out of contract star for a reasonable fee. With the club willing to pay £50-70million on players this summer and the wages unlikely to be a huge concern, they could tempt Gnabry back to England for a second bit at the Premier League cherry.
1. Frenkie de Jong
Our final target, most likely and one I think United need most (especially given the rumour and speculation) is Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. With the talk being that the deal is almost done, and awaiting a few final details, this saga may well be over and United will begin looking for the next transfer they can drag across the summer.
The De Jong move summarises where United are struggling in recruitment, as despite the new manager coming in and being clear in his targets, and the club willing to spend, as soon as they identify a player it’s months to get a deal done, where rivals are spending days maximum making things happen. With the interest in players like De Jong last summer Jadon Sancho being well known by all, failing to get these transfers completed makes the club look weak and an easy target for selling clubs.
Moving to the Frenkie de Jong move, it’s almost done for a rumoured £65-75million, and Ten Hag will link up with another of his impressive 2018-2019 Ajax side. Having played a key role in that side earnt De Jong the dream move to Barcelona, where things have crumbled around him. The player himself has been consistent in his performances despite the club struggling on-field and off, and appeared settled with the talk being that he is being ‘forced’ from the club rather than leaving of his own accord due to the financial situation.
So, when he arrives, De Jong should slot straight into the side, taking up either a #6 role or playing as an #8 depending on the other recruitment that takes place at the club. With a willingness to play deep, he can fill the defensive midfield role that United have struggled with since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, while he could also be used in a more progressive midfield role in the gap left from Paul Pogba’s departure. The player himself has mentioned his willingness to hold the ball and distribute a range of passes, he has drawn comparisons to Iniesta and Beckenbauer.
With an ability to read the game, possessing great vision and passing/dribbling attributes, De Jong would offer United’s midfield so much and be a huge improvement on the McFred partnership that has given supporters nightmares for the past few years. It perhaps doesn’t fix the midfield completely, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in along with the existing squad and any other additions, but there’s no doubt that United are getting a quality player in this move, they just need to move quicker and with more determination to prevent these big name transfers dragging on yet again.
