Ten Hag comment shows Man Utd’s transfer plans are in jeopardy

Robin Bairner

• 5 May 2023 14:25 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag made comments prior to his side’s Premier League defeat against Brighton that should now worry the club in retrospect.

The Red Devils seemed primed to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, yet that now looks far more vulnerable following the 1-0 defeat at the AmEx Stadium, which came thanks to a penalty from Alexis Mac Allister in the 99th minute.

Although the Old Trafford side are still in a commanding position four points clear of Liverpool with a game in hand, suddenly a place in the Champions League does not seem the formality that it once did, particularly as their rivals pick up a head of steam.

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And that should worry club officials ahead of the transfer window, as Ten Hag astutely pointed out.

“All the big players want to play in the Champions League,” he pointed out when asked about the forthcoming transfer window.

With Man Utd presently heading back to Europe’s biggest competition, Ten Hag can hope to recruit leading players in the summer, but his plans could be thrown into jeopardy should they be overtaken by Liverpool or sixth-placed Brighton.

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Kane and Osimhen deals on the line

Harry Kane is regarded as the Old Trafford side’s top option in the No.9 role, yet one of the reasons he gave for wanting to leave Tottenham previously was that he was not guaranteed to be playing in the biggest games on a weekly basis.

If Man Utd are not in the Champions League, Kane would not have that opportunity either, at least immediately, with the Red Devils.

Similarly, would Victor Osimhen be tempted to leave Serie A champions Napoli for a Europa League club? He might – but it would take an additional chunk of money.

But it’s not just in attack. Man Utd are set to compete with Arsenal and Liverpool for central midfielders this summer. Losing a top-four place would obviously weaken their bargaining position.

Ten Hag did subsequently add: “Since I've been here, I've noticed that everyone wants to play for Manchester United.”

He will know, however, that his job in the transfer market will be much easier if Champions League football is on offer.