Erik ten Hag's rebuild begins with two high profile players
Here are my thoughts on United's new potential signings.
Manchester United have begun the race for a high-profile striker in the Serie A and an up-and-coming English centre-back.
After surviving a difficult last season, Erik ten Hag has begun his rebuild of Manchester United. The United manager has found two high-profile players who could help his side next season.
Reports have suggested United have comprised AC Milan’s deal for Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee and agreed personal terms with English centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite. Here are my thoughts on the potential signings for United.
Zirkzee
It’s no secret that they are looking for a new striker after Anthony Martial announced his departure from United last season. However, I’m shocked about how ambitious United have been in this transfer window. Signing Zirkzee would be a great deal. He is cheap and a proven striker in Italy, with various European clubs hoping to sign him.
United are willing to pay the more than 30 million Euro release clause in his contract at Italian side Bologna. The Dutch striker, currently playing at the Euros for the Netherlands, was an important player for Bologna; helping the Italian side reach Champions League football. Last season he managed 11 goals in 34 games; in comparison, Rasmus Højlund scored 10 goals in 30 games in the Premier League.
Allowing Ten Hag to play Højlund or Zirkzee would improve United’s goal tally. Both forwards have different styles which complement each other. Højlund plays around the penalty box, while Zirkzee is a more creative forward; similar to English striker Harry Kane. I think he would be a perfect signing.
Branthwaite
The Red Devils are also searching for a new centre-back to replace Raphael Varane who left the club last season.
United’s defence was its main issue last season, with injury problems with Varane and Lisandro Martinez. The club relied on youth talent such as Willy Kambwala to maintain clean sheets.
However, this didn’t help and created a negative goal tally. United must reduce the number of goals which are going in the back of the net. The only way of doing this is finding another centre-back to partner Martinez.
Numerous players from across Europe could be a perfect replacement, however, they believe signing Branthwaite would create a strong partnership with Martinez.
Branthwaite was vital in helping Everton avoid relegation from the Premier League. He is a left-footed centre-back with good technical qualities on the ball. This is something desperately needed in United’s backline.
Branthwaite has had vast experience playing for lower-league sides in England such as Blackburn Rovers and in the Netherlands for PSV.
Former PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who previously managed Branthwaite, explained he could push up the pitch and had strong qualities on and off the ball.
“The touches he has with the left and right in the build-up but also defensively, the duels he was winning and the pace he has,” Van Nistelrooy said.
Hearing these remarks from Van Nistelrooy would create a sense of excitement for most United fans. Last season United played a low block against most European teams and other clubs in the Premier League.
Mainly because United’s reserve centre-backs didn’t push that high up the pitch. Having a centre-back who could do this would improve United’s performance by 100 per cent for next season. An easy example of this would be United’s win in the FA Cup final against Manchester City (2-1).
However, there are some issues for United in obtaining Branthwaite’s signature.
The Toffees believe the English defender is worth around £70 million. But United won’t pay more than 50 million for him. This is something I agree with.
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Paying more than 50 million for Branthwaite would be extortionate. United must stop paying over the average amount for players with good potential. The club has already dealt with players such as Harry Maguire for the past decade and must be more diligent when making deals. If the club cannot buy him for a cut price, the best option is to find other players who are cheap and have great potential.
Another player suitable centre-back for United is Matthijs de Ligt. De Ligt has already played under Ten Hag at Ajax and understands how a centre-back must play in his team. He has experience playing for teams such as Bayern Munich and Juventus and has played in the Champions League.
De Ligt has fallen out of favour at Bayern, with English centre-back Eric Dier replacing him last season. United could easily get a cut deal for him in this upcoming transfer window if Branthwaite’s price is too high.
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