Man Utd lineup if Erik ten Hag seals four transfers recommended by club legends
Manchester United could field a stunning side should Erik ten Hag take on some outlandish transfer suggestions from Red Devils’ icons.
United have endured a tricky start to the new season under the Dutchman. The side currently sit eighth in the Premier League ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
That indifferent start comes after a lucrative summer transfer window that saw Man United spend around £175m. The club could be tempted to enter the market once more to get back on track, with an array of former players already submitting suggestions to the recruitment team.
Take a look at the starting XI Ten Hag could boast should he attempt to seal all of those deals put forward to him:
Starting in goal, Andre Onana looks likely to be the Red Devils’ starting goalkeeper going forwards despite a difficult first few months to life at Old Trafford. The former Ajax man has made a number of high-profile errors since his £47m arrival from Inter Milan but looks sure to be the club’s first choice for the foreseeable future.
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The defence in front of him may however look slightly different. Lisandro Martinez has shone during his time at the club but injury issues keep on cropping up. That could see the Red Devils invest in a number of central defenders.
Iconic former centre-back Rio Ferdinand has already suggested a few potential options. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said: "The boy at Lens, [Danso] there’s one there, he’s good. The Uruguayan boy at Barcelona – Araujo. Whether he’s gettable or not, I think he’s brilliant. He’s an unreal centre half.
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"He has every attribute to be perfect for the Premier League. I’d probably say he’s the standout, but whether he’s gettable or not, I don’t know. I’ve always said this – to be a successful team, you need that foundation of a solid defence and to be able to pick similar players."
The pair should be drafted straight into the heart of defence, with Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka flanking them either side. If fellow Red Devil Louis Saha had his way, there would also be changes in midfield.
Casemiro remains one of Ten Hag’s most trusted custodians despite the former Real Madrid star’s start to the new campaign. He could potentially be partnered in midfield by Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes.
Speaking out on the Brazilian to Betfred, Saha said: “He’s a great player and I followed him closely during his time in France with Lyon before he made the move to Newcastle.
“This is definitely an option that Manchester United can look at because Bruno is a quality midfielder, but they also need to find midfielders that are best suited to Erik ten Hag’s style of play and vision."
A deal for Guimaraes could be difficult given the fact he only penned a new five-year deal earlier this month. Should the Red Devils pursue him, then the Brazilian would assemble a formidable midfield trio alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno Guimaraes only penned a new Newcastle deal earlier this month (Getty Images)Sticking in the Premier League, another of this season’s shining lights - Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma - would also be an excellent addition. Saha added: “I would like to see Mitoma arrive at Old Trafford.
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“He's a very exciting player and he never seems to have any doubt of the ball. He'll bombard defences with offensive moves all the time, and I love his energy and the way he plays with a smile
"Mitoma is great to watch, and his attitude would be perfect for any club. Some players think too much, but Mitoma relies on instinct. You can tell he's worked very hard on the training ground to achieve this, and now he's got to a point where he looks like a natural.
"Managers know exactly what they're going to get from Mitoma, and he'd be a strong asset to any club. He'd be very exciting at Manchester United as they tend to have wide players who overthink.”
Mitoma is another to have put pen to paper on fresh terms so a deal could be expensive. The Japanese international, while usually a left-winger, would likely have to be moved to the opposite flank to accommodate Marcus Rashford. Rasmus Hojlund would round off an impressive-looking team - the £72m man leading the line for United.
Man United potential XI: Onana; Shaw, Danso, Araujo, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Guimaraes, Fernandes; Mitmoma, Rashford, Hojlund.
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