Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag: 'Quality players will want to come to Man United this summer'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 May 2023

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is confident that the Red Devils can attract "quality" signings during the summer transfer window.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is confident that the Red Devils can attract "quality" players to join the club in the upcoming transfer window.

Upon the Dutchman's arrival at the Theatre of Dreams last summer, Man United had only managed a sixth-placed finish in the 2021-22 Premier League season after a tumultuous year under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

The Red Devils were still able to welcome a quartet of big names in Casemiro, Antony, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez to the club, although they only moved for the former after trying and failing to sign Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona.

January also proved to be a frustrating month for Ten Hag, as Liverpool unexpectedly swooped for Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, while Chelsea won the race to sign Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.

However, Ten Hag has overseen an upturn in his side's on-field fortunes, ending their six-year trophy drought in the EFL Cup and guiding them to fourth place in the Premier League table with 63 points from 34 games.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag before the match on May 4, 2023 © Reuters

There remains uncertainty with the Red Devils' ownership situation, though, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani vie to wrestle control of the club from the Glazer family.

Ratcliffe is believed to be closing in on a takeover, but there have been suggestions that the slow process could hinder Man United's summer transfer activity.

However, a bullish Ten Hag believes that there is a "big difference" between last year and this year, and he is expecting top players to "really want" to come to Old Trafford.

"I see a big difference in comparison with last year. Now many players see the project, what's going on, the dynamic and the ambition," Ten Hag told reporters at a recent press conference.

"There were a lot of reservations last year, a lot of doubts when we approached players. This year many quality players really want to come."

Harry Kane celebrates scoring for Tottenham Hotspur on May 6, 2023 © Reuters

A new striker is expected to be the Red Devils' number one priority following the bitter exit of Cristiano Ronaldo, as Wout Weghorst's loan move from Burnley is unlikely to be made permanent.

Anthony Martial has also struggled to perform in an injury-hit season, and the Red Devils continue to be credited with an interest in Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen and Randal Kolo Muani.

However, Man United are now said to be considering dropping their interest in Kane, as they will not be held to ransom by Tottenham Hotspur's hardball negotiating chairman Daniel Levy.

Midfield additions could also be on the agenda amid links with West Ham United's Declan Rice, whom David Moyes admitted has a "good chance" of leaving the London club this summer, although Arsenal are also said to be confident of landing the Englishman's signature.

Defensive additions at right-back and goalkeeper are also being mooted, although current number one David de Gea is rumoured to be close to signing a contract extension.