Man Utd on alert as club line up replacement for Ten Hag favourite

Tom Weber

• 4 May 2023 17:37 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United have been given a boost in their pursuit of a right-back as Leverkusen have already lined up a replacement for Jeremie Frimpong.

The Erik ten Hag revolution at Old Trafford is set to continue this summer. A significant clearout is expected with a lot of deadwood from previous regimes to depart, while new talent is to be brought in so that United can get back to challenging for league titles and Champions Leagues.

While the question of bringing in players could yet throw up some problems given the tension looming over the club due to the ongoing ownership battle and its attendant uncertainty over the summer's budget, United are still looking at potential targets for positions of need.

READ: Man Utd takeover: Ten Hag makes summer transfer confession

One of those spots is at right-back. Neither Diogo Dalot nor Aaron Wan-Bissaka are offensively-minded and productive enough for Ten Hag's liking, and the club have been linked with several high-profile names in that department. Among the potential targets is Jeremie Frimpong, who may very well be on the market now that Leverkusen have found a replacement for him.

Ten Hag a fan

Erik ten Hag is said to be an admirer of his compatriot Frimpong, and it's not hard to understand why. Since arriving in the Bundesliga, the 22-year-old has become one of the most exciting full-backs in Europe.

This season, he has contributed nine goals and 10 assists in 42 games across all competitions. Although there are questions about Frimpong's defensive capabilities, he is exactly the kind of attacking right-back Ten Hag is looking for.

In anticipation of a transfer, Bayer Leverkusen are already looking for a replacement and they have found it in the form of Rennes captain Hamari Traore, according to reports in France and Germany.

READ: Man Utd told BARGAIN price for No.9 target

Traore will be a free agent this summer after being left disappointed by Rennes' contract offer and his signing would open the door for a Frimpong move. It is, however, unclear whether United would be willing to spend what could be a limited budget on a right-back rather than on a target in a priority position like at number nine.