Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag 'keen to sell six more Manchester United players'

By Andrew Delaney, Reporter | 08 August 2023

Erik ten Hag 'keen to sell six more Man United players'

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is reportedly keen to sell more players this summer to balance the books after a substantial summer of spending at Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reportedly wants to see more players moved on this summer to trim their slightly bloated squad.

United have spent big this summer, bringing in Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund all for large sums.

Ten Hag is said to want additional incomings too, with Sofyan Amrabat one name who continues to be heavily linked.

A backup goalkeeper is also on the wishlist, after the departures of David de Gea and Tom Heaton, and the potential imminent sale of Dean Henderson.

The Mirror claims that further outgoings are required for United to bring any more players in, as well as balancing the books after spending upwards of £170m.

The sales of Anthony Elanga, Alex Telles and Zidane Iqbal are the only deals which have brought money in at Old Trafford this summer, and even then, all were relatively small fees.

Man United targeting another goalkeeper and a midfielder suggest that further outgoings will still occur before the closing of the transfer window.

Scott McTominay and Fred are both being linked with moves away, but as of yet, no side has matched United's desired price tags.

Manchester United's Scott McTominay pictured after the match on February 19, 2023 © Reuters

McTominay, and teammate Harry Maguire, have been linked to West Ham United, but their bids, so far, fall below the valuations set by Man United.

Fred's five-year stay at the club may be coming to an end, and the club will have to take a pretty hefty loss on the Brazilian midfielder.

A price tag of £20m has been placed on the 30-year-old, a huge decrease on the £47m United paid Shakhtar Donetsk in 2018.

The forgotten man Donny van de Beek may also be on his way out after failing to make any sort of impact in three years with the club, with Real Sociedad believed to be in talks.

Even a six-month loan move to Everton in 2021-22 was cut short by injury, with the Dutchman making just seven appearances, and doing so again last season with United despite being reunited with his boss at Ajax.

Donny van de Beek in action for Manchester United on August 13, 2022 © Reuters

A new backup goalkeeper is on the agenda given Henderson's plea to play first-team football, something which appears unlikely after the signing of Onana.

However, a move to Nottingham Forest - where Henderson spent last season on loan - now appears to be off the table after they agreed terms with Arsenal for Matt Turner.

There should be no difficulties in Eric Bailly finding a new club though, as the Ivorian has suitors in Saudi Arabia and the Premier League.

Bailly spent last season on loan with Marseille in Ligue 1 but was often only a substitute under Igor Tudor, however Fulham and clubs from the Saudi Pro League appear to be interested in his services.

Should Bailly depart alongside Maguire though, that leaves Man United with just Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof as central defensive options, so they could dip back into the market for another player in that position.