LONDON — Deep within the bowels of Wembley Stadium, Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer strode previous a bunch of reporters in search of an replace – the truth is, simply any information – in regards to the potential sale of the storied English membership.
“Why are you not speaking to the fans?” got here one shout.
Silence.
United’s disgruntled supporters need solutions.
So, certainly, does Erik ten Hag.
Speaking after his workforce’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City within the FA Cup last, the United supervisor was comparatively calm about his plans for this summer season whereas the Glazer household weighs up whether or not to promote the membership or stay in place by promoting a minority stake or take up different funding choices.
PHOTOS: Man United in limbo as uncertainty over sale of membership impacts Ten Hag’s planning
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe have made declared bids for what may find yourself being the most important ever sale of a sports workforce, with the value presumably reaching as much as $6 billion.
So, Ten Hag was requested, does he have two plans for the offseason: one if a sale goes by way of and one if it doesn’t?
“I have only one plan, that is to improve this club and improve this team,” Ten Hag stated. “I will fight for this, I will talk to the club about what we have to do for that, but also I have to work with my staff, with my players, to be better next season.”
Pushed on how the sale impacts his planning for subsequent season, Ten Hag stated: “At this moment, I don’t want to discuss that. It’s about finalizing the season. We have to be quiet, analyze the season… set the right conclusions and take action.”
This season has proven the quantity of labor wanted for United, certainly any workforce, to catch as much as City.
While the win at Wembley on Saturday turned out to be slim, there was a transparent gulf between the groups within the first all-Manchester cup last, with solely a contentious penalty and a late rally maintaining United in contact with its dominant rival.
In the league, City – backed by the wealth of Abu Dhabi’s ruling household – received the title for the fifth time in six years and was 14 factors forward of third-place United.
With Pep Guardiola contracted to remain on for yet another season, United and the remainder of the league may simply have to attend and hope City’s fortunes dip as soon as the Spanish coach leaves.
There’s little question, nevertheless, that United is heading in the right direction underneath Ten Hag, who has led the workforce to 2 home cup finals – profitable the League Cup in February – and again into the Champions League.
That didn’t seem seemingly early within the season when United was dropping 4-0 at Brentford and 6-3 at City.
“It’s not about (closing) the gap in the summer, or getting players in,” the Dutchman stated. “We’ve been working all season, day-to-day, to develop the workforce, progress the workforce and I’m very proud from the place we got here from the beginning of this season.
“Remember Brentford, but also the Etihad. Now we showed today that our home win (United beat City 2-1 in January) was not a coincidence and today again maybe on another day we could have won this game.”
Ten Hag spoke of “huge decisions” and “major actions” at United within the offseason. He may need been speaking about himself and his teaching workers, and never simply the Glazers.
De Gea
David De Gea received the Golden Glove award for probably the most clear sheets (17) within the Premier League, however that can’t conceal the Spanish goalkeeper’s deficiencies which might be holding United again. Aside from some obtrusive shot-stopping errors – like that blunder at West Ham final month – he clearly doesn’t have the technical skill together with his ft to play in Ten Hag’s most well-liked fashion. That was additionally showcased in opposition to City, when he botched some clearances both aspect of letting a weak shot from Ilkay Gundogan get previous him for what proved to be the profitable aim within the 51st minute. Ten Hag refused to single out De Gea for being at fault however spoke in ominous phrases when requested in regards to the goalkeeper. “We are in the right direction – there are occasions in the game, issues in the game, that we have to improve, definitely, if you want to make the next step and win,” Ten Hag stated. “It’s obvious.”
Maguire
Ten Hag caught with Harry Maguire because the membership captain after arriving at United on the finish of final season however the England heart again, signed for round $100 million in 2019 because the world’s costliest defender, has slipped down the pecking order. He is likely to be as low down as fifth in Ten Hag’s listing of central defenders. It’s an enormous name, however Maguire may also must be shipped out, even at a cut-price charge.
Striker
Buying a striker is United’s precedence within the offseason. Ten Hag coped this season with the injury-prone Anthony Martial and on-loan Dutch striker Wout Weghorst, who scored two targets in 33 appearances – and none within the Premier League, as his striker choices, with Marcus Rashford generally beginning up entrance as an alternative of on the left wing. Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are two potential choices however United can have competitors for them, in the event that they even depart their present golf equipment, and may need to look elsewhere. One factor is for certain, somebody wants to come back in.
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