Erik ten Hag has internal solutions to Manchester United transfer issues

The work is well underway as Manchester United look to hit the ground running under new manager Erik ten Hag this summer. Ten Hag, 52, will not officially take up the reins as United boss until June, though he is wasting no time in getting things ready for a smooth transition into life in English football.

The Dutchman is already being consulted on a number of issues which he’ll have to deal with during his first months in charge at Old Trafford, with the subject of transfers, for best betting sites in Nigeria visit betastic.com being a high priority on his checklist.

An important part of his rebuilding job will be speaking to those already at the club in the weeks ahead, as he looks to gauge who is committed to the project under him and establish which individuals will play a predominant role next season.

Once that is done, United can then push on with identifying which areas of the squad need strengthening the most, and commence plans to try and sign the top targets who have been shortlisted in their respective positions.

Ralf Rangnick has already suggested that United might need as many as 10 new signings this summer, though club officials are believed to disagree with the extent of his comments.

The Manchester Evening News reported earlier this week that some of the German’s comments, particularly the one about 10 new signings, did not go down well with the club hierarchy, who are trying to play down the extent of the rebuild required.

In reality, United probably need somewhere in the middle, around five or six new players to offset those who will leave at the end of the season, though doing so is easier said than done.

United have never spent more than £150million on permanent signings in a single transfer window and this summer their budget might actually only stretch to three senior players, similar to the £145m spree that secured Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James three years ago.

United might have aspirations of strengthening plenty of areas of the pitch this summer, but the hard truth is that some positions will simply have to be overlooked. There is a desire to add two new midfielders, a younger forward and a centre-back, while there is also a wish to sign a right-sided forward, a versatile full-back and potentially another goalkeeper.

Instead, the club might well need to look at internal solutions to plug the gaps, some on a short-term basis and others on a long-term one.

James Garner is set for another chance to prove his worth when he returns from loan at Nottingham Forest and he could help solve Ten Hag’s headache with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic set to leave for free.

Donny van de Beek is another player who could provide an internal solution, with the Dutchman still admired by mentor Ten Hag, despite his struggles since moving to English football back in September 2020.

Reports this week have also suggested Andreas Pereira could get a final chance under the incoming manager after the duo worked together at PSV Eindhoven. The 26-year-old has been set to join Brazilian side Flamengo permanently this year, but you get an unexpected final throw of the dice at Old Trafford.

Elsewhere on the pitch, United’s need for a new right-winger could yet be solved by the unfulfilled potential of Amad. The club committed to spending £37m on the Ivorian two years ago, though he has struggled to adapt to British football with limited game time at United and a disappointing loan spell with Rangers.

The 19-year-old is in need of a massive confidence lift, though that could come under a manager with a track record of nurturing top youth talent from his time at Ajax.

In defence, Norwich loanee Brandon Williams could get another chance to prove his worth under the manager, and he certainly ticks the boxes as a versatile full-back.

Williams, 21, has been steady on loan at Carrow Road this season and already has experience playing at left-back for United. The youngster came through the academy as a right-back though, and could certainly provide suitable back-up next season if another full-back can’t be signed this summer.

United’s squad could also be bolstered by the likes of promising academy talents like Hannibal Mejbri, Alejandro Garnacho and Alvaro Fernandez, though the expectation is that those three would only have minimal roles even if they were to be promoted next season.

The official announcement of Ten Hag has made selling United as a possible suitor far easier for prospective transfer targets this summer, but with such a major overhaul required, it is certain some areas will have to be overlooked.

Fan excitement might be focused on the new faces soon to arrive at Old Trafford, but a few familiar faces might provide the answers too.