After much delay Manchester United have added to its senior squad, 75 days after the club announced Erik ten Hag as manager on April 21st.
Tyrell Malacia has completed his transfer from Feyenoord to Man United and he becomes the Red Devils’ first addition of the Ten Hag era. Similar to the majority of United’s reported targets, the manager is most familiar with the Dutch defender. Ten Hag has been a long-time admirer of his fellow countryman and United swiftly intervened to acquire Malacia.
United hijacked a deal for the left-back after Lyon agreed a deal to sign Malacia from Feyenoord. United bettered the French club’s offer of £13million, including add-ons, as director of football John Murtough reportedly submitted a bid worth £14,5million inclusive of add-ons.
The Netherlands international was at United’s Carrington training complex on Sunday and again on Monday to complete medical checks and seal his switch to Manchester until 2026, with the option for a further year.
Louis van Gaal handed Malacia his international debut last September and he has played the full 90 minutes in three of his five caps to date. Alex Telles and Brandon Williams could both be shipped out this summer while Luke Shaw has 12 months left on his contract at Old Trafford.
United are close to finalising the purchase of Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona in what has felt like a ceaseless transfer saga. Following initial contact with Barça on May 11th, it has taken more than seven weeks for United to wrap up a deal for De Jong.
De Jong is Ten Hag’s primary target and United’s remaining transfer business has been largely put on hold until the establishment of a breakthrough in talks for the ex-Ajax midfielder. The clubs are believed to have agreed on a £55million fixed fee in principle, with a further £17million in add-ons.
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Being able to lure a player with the quality and charisma of De Jong, without Champions League football to offer, is a massive statement of intent. De Jong recently turned 25 and Ten Hag is keen to build the new-look United around his compatriot dictating the tempo in the centre of the pitch.
Football correspondent David Ornstein revealed Monday that free agent Christian Eriksen has agreed to join United on a three-year deal following a short-term spell with Brentford. Ornstein reported last month the club made an offer to Eriksen, 30, with Ten Hag keen to add the Dane to his ranks.
Eriksen began his senior career with Ajax and also trained with the Amsterdam club to regain his fitness after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field of play at the European Championships last summer.
Ten Hag’s next target, Lisandro Martínez, is also linked with Arsenal whose second bid for the Ajax defender was in the region of £34million. United are expected to submit a similar proposal this week with the Argentine poised for a move to the Premier League.
Martínez, 24, is a left-footed centre-back capable of operating in a central role as well as at full-back. Ten Hag utilised him as a defensive midfielder after signing him in 2019, later shifting him into the back four.
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Martínez and Antony were bought by Ajax during Ten Hag’s time in charge and the new United boss is said to be interested in signing both players for a second time. Ajax are holding out for £60million for Antony, 22, however they could reach a compromise with United for the Brazilian winger.
United’s most crucial missing piece remains a specialist midfield enforcer although with other prospective signings already in the works, there would be a limited budget to acquire another high-profile midfielder. United are also in the market for a back-up goalkeeper to offset Dean Henderson’s loan exit to Nottingham Forest.
Days after £11million was paid out in dividends to club shareholders, additional pressure was exerted by Cristiano Ronaldo who nudged United to start conducting ambitious business amid the stall in talks to secure the services of De Jong from Barcelona.
Speculation was reignited this past weekend when The Times reported the Portuguese requested he be allowed to leave the club should they receive a suitable offer for their talisman.
Ronaldo is one of United’s utmost pertinent figureheads on the field of play, as well as commercially, and the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was linked with an exit from Old Trafford around the same time the Glazer family pocketed their bi-annual dividends.
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Ronaldo missed pre-season training on Monday, the first day back for those who were involved in international football last month, and again on Tuesday as the 37-year-old cited ‘family reasons’ for his absence. Bayern Munich are currently favourites to land Ronaldo, with Robert Lewandowski bound for Barcelona.
Ronaldo has played Champions League football in all of the last 19 seasons, and the quality of Ten Hag’s foundation signings could sway the Portuguese to stick around for another year – and his first in the UEFA Europa League.
