Manchester United's 39 million abandonment will recommend itself to Barcelona! Ten Hag's four major reinforcements were questioned by players, with a total value of more than 200 million
Manchester United's Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek has reportedly offered himself to La Liga giants Barcelona in the hope of joining the club in the winter transfer window in January. Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has confirmed this week that the former Ajax sclero's departure is possible, with Serie A's Juventus and Turkish Super League's Galatasaray also potential next home.
Barcelona's 19-year-old Gavi is out for the season with a torn cruciate ligament, so Xavi wants to bring in a new midfielder. According to Daily Sport, the 26-year-old reached out to the other party to join the team. At Camp Nou there is Frenkie de Jong, Younger's former partner at Ajax, and Barça's style of play is more similar to that of Dutch football.
Donny van de Beek has been a favourite of Real Madrid in the past, only to be unable to join due to the Galaxy's financial constraints, but he is thought his style might be better suited to La Liga tactics. Barcelona are not keen on short-term deals, but the coaching staff believes that adding a midfielder will help the team move up the rankings.
Wherever Donny van de Beek ends up, he will be one of United's most failed signings in history. After joining in 2020 for a £39 million transfer fee, he had almost no bright spots. However, the Red Devils' failed transfers in recent years are clearly not limited to Donny van de Beek, and according to the Manchester Evening News, some of the club's staff and players have become skeptical about Ten Hag's selection of reinforcements, as is his tactical approach.
Dressing room sources say the situation is dire, with a number of veteran United players expressing concerns about the direction of the club. They have been puzzled by Ten Hag's recruitment options, such as Manchester United's £73 million signing of 20-year-old Hojlund from Atalanta amid a clear lack of goalscorers.
Hojlund may have potential, but United need a ready-made scorer like Harry Kane, not a future star. Hojlund has yet to score in the Premier League, although he has scored five goals in the Champions League. Ironically, Serie A Inter Milan have signed French striker Marcus Thuram for free, and he has been involved in 12 goals (6 goals, 6 assists) this season!
Antony, who signed for 83 million pounds, is naturally also a confused "rattan armor" within Manchester United, and his performance is obviously not worthy of such a high price and a weekly salary of 200,000 pounds. Weghorst, who has already left the club, and Mason Mount, who signed £60 million this summer, are other signings from Ten Hag who have been questioned by his team-mates. Weghorst has scored just two goals in 31 games, while Mason Mount is not considered to be the type of player United need at the moment. These four players cost Manchester United more than £200 million, but their contribution value is not up to the standard it should be.
Last season, Ten Hag led the side to a Carabao Cup triumph and a third-place finish in the Premier League, but a handful of players still have doubts about his poor away record, and that fear has now intensified.
Ten Hag has now moved away from the phrase that players are "not following the rules", as it has angered criticised players who believe that the 53-year-old Dutchman himself is at the root of his tactical turmoil. Ten Hag's two seasons in charge of Manchester United were marked by a shift in possession and high pressing, and the use of the traditional tactics of quick counter-attacks immediately after being blocked.
The United hierarchy are also concerned that some of Ten Hag's favourites have been demoralized, such as Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, who have not put enough energy into the fight to help the Reds succeed.