Man Utd's EXCRUCIATINGLY slow business is hurting Ten Hag's ambitions

Tom Weber

• Updated: 26 Jun 2023 12:57 BST
• 3 min read

Manchester United are once again slow off the mark with their transfer business, so it begs the question: is this just an issue of ownership or a deeper problem?

The Red Devils are struggling to make signings. This season there is a clear explanation as to why this is the case: the takeover saga is still ongoing and the current owners, the Glazers, are dragging their feet in hopes of squeezing more money out of the process.

At the same time, they are refraining from spending any fees on new players seeing as though they likely won't be the owners anymore soon anyway, so why sink money into the club at this point? This means that Erik ten Hag's summer plans have had to be revised time and again.

Mason Mount likely won't arrive during this transfer window because United won't - or can't - put another few million on top of their offer in order to satisfy Chelsea's demands. Neither will they be able to sign Victor Osimhen or Harry Kane because they are too expensive.

READ: FED UP Ten Hag targets SHOCK USMNT star as Man Utd Mount alternatives revealed

But there have also simply been issues of timing. Declan Rice was at one point linked with United, but Arsenal and then Manchester City stole the lead on the Red Devils. Jurrien Timber, a former Ten Hag player, appears to be off to Arsenal because United haven't made a move.

They have now submitted a proposal to Adrien Rabiot, but this comes several days after Juventus had already become favourites to tie him down to a new deal. Most egregious of all is the Kim Min-jae situation; United appeared to have a deal all but wrapped up, but their indecisiveness means that he will likely end up at Bayern now.

The same as last summer

The start of pre-season is fast approaching and United still haven't confirmed any new arrivals - a nightmare scenario for Ten Hag. But can all of this be blamed on the takeover saga?

It was the same problem last summer when the takeover wasn't yet an issue. There was huge frustration in the fanbase about United's late business, and their start to the season was unsurprisingly bad. By the time their rivals had completed most of their business, United had only announced Tyrell Malacia - who ended up barely featuring.

READ: Man Utd could sign goalkeeper target to play as striker!

It's the same this season. Arsenal look set to wrap up two, potentially three, of their priority moves this week, while United are nowhere close to completing any deal whatsoever. Erik ten Hag vowed to make United more ruthless in the transfer market, but at the moment, the Red Devils are tame puppies.