Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly ready to take a major transfer gamble by not signing an out-and-out defensive midfielder this summer.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag is focusing on bringing in Barcelona midfielder Frankie de Jong, and will make him his priority.
The report also links the Red Devils with Christian Eriksen, but it seems an out-and-out defensive player in front of the back four is not in the manager’s thinking at the moment.
This seems pretty risky after United’s poor defensive record last season, with the likes of Harry Maguire looking poor, partly due to the lack of protection from the midfield ahead of them.
The likes of Scott McTominay and Fred don’t really look good enough as a partnership, while the experienced Nemanja Matic has left Old Trafford on a free transfer.
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This leaves MUFC a bit light in that area of the pitch, and it could be that this will backfire if Ten Hag isn’t successful in implementing his playing style.
Someone like Yves Bissouma, who has just moved to Tottenham, and not for crazy money by any stretch of the imagination, could surely have been worth considering for Man Utd.