Ten Hag was right! Man Utd vindicated in transfer decision to sacrifice legend

8 Aug 2024 22:00 BST
4 min read

Erik ten Hag, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Erik ten Hag’s transfer calls have come under fire in recent times but one of the Manchester United manager’s decisions from last summer has slowly proven to be the correct one.

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Having spent big on the on the likes of Casemiro and Antony to virtually no success, Ten Hag’s decision making in the transfer market has seemingly come down to backing the manager rather than securing the smartest deal for United.

And one of Ten Hag’s biggest calls was to renege on a contract extension for David de Gea despite the goalkeeper being offered a new deal by United at the end of last season.

The contract would have seen De Gea remain one of the club’s highest earners despite taking a massive paycut despite question marks over his long-term suitability as United’s number one.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€7.4M - €12.4M

Instead, Ten Hag risked the wrath of United supporters by rescinding the offer and ending the club legend’s 13-year stint at Old Trafford, much to the shock and anger of some observers.

However, De Gea spent the next year without a club willing to meet his wage demands and it is only now, 13 months after leaving United, that he has found his new team, indicating that Ten Hag was right to let the 33-year-old go when he did.

© IMAGO - David de Gea has finally found a new club.

De Gea finally finds new team

De Gea has agreed to join Serie A side Fiorentina on a one-year deal that will see him earn a salary of just €3 million – a fraction of the €20m-plus wages he was on at United.

To sit without a club for one season and take a relatively low salary at a Conference League side marks a dramatic fall from grace for a player who was the source of such scrutiny for Ten Hag.

Some would argue that United’s decision to spend €50m on Andre Onana to replace De Gea counteracts Ten Hag’s decision to release the veteran, given the unconvincing debut season the Cameroonian had at Old Trafford.

Current ETV

ETV Range

€26.6M - €44.4M

But Onana grew into his role as the season progressed and dealt well with United’s leaky defence, which allowed more shots than any other team in the Premier League, while also demonstrating the playstyle Ten Hag wants his keepers to have.

Having also been proven correct in controversially pushing Cristiano Ronaldo out of the club, Ten Hag will feel vindicated in his assessment of United’s stars, having also allowed the likes of Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane to leave on frees this summer.

But the Dutchman needs to get the best out of his signings such as Onana and Antony in order to prove United are better off without their old core – or risk becoming part of the clearout in the future.

Read more about: Premier League, Fiorentina, Man Utd, André Onana, Antony, Casemiro, Raphaël Varane