Manchesyer Utd Erig Ten Hag is set to announce the signing of two star players today at the Old Trafford Stadium
Ineos continues to leave his stamp on what seems to be a constantly changing Old Trafford roster, and Manchester United is about to announce two major additions.
Both Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, who Erik ten Hag knows well from their Ajax days, will cost United around £51.5 million in total. The ink on their individual signings should be dry before United play Fulham on Friday night (8pm). Mazraoui and De Ligt are additions for the medium and long term, whether or whether they appear in that curtain raiser is another story.
It was obvious which areas United intended to focus on strengthening this summer. At one point, Ineos was “open” to adding up to three new center backs, however any further acquisitions would depend on player sales. They were also actively searching for a left back and holding midfielder to potentially replace Casemiro.
As things have turned out, Casemiro is once again in top form, and United may decide to postpone their intention to replace him. Casemiro will not play every game, therefore Ten Hag and his backroom team will need to figure up a backup plan regardless of the shrinking budget’s final word.
For a defensive midfielder who is ten years younger than him, it would be a very high expectation. But Ten Hag might want to have a look at an unconventional internal solution.
Please, Lisandro Martinez, have a seat. Martinez did occasionally play there for Ajax, and United has players to assist make up for a perceived lack of sprinting ability in that area. However, the idea of Martinez being deployed as a midfield shield has been raised in the past, with Ten Hag dismissing it out of hand.
Mason Mount, Scott McTominay, and Kobbie Mainoo all exude that certain quality. Martinez would start next to one or more of the aforementioned players, providing the necessary toughness and passing range that United could otherwise lack when Casemiro is hurt, suspended, or substituted.
