Manchester United will be in “real trouble” if they fail to make top signings, but Liverpool and Manchester City are not helping Erik ten Hag, according to one pundit.
The Red Devils come into the latest transfer window knowing they have to have an instant impact. Following a tumultuous season, the onus is on Old Trafford chiefs to assist new manager Ten Hag.
However, it is their arch-rivals Liverpool and City who have hit the ground running this summer.
Liverpool have snapped up Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, with Man Utd interested but unwilling to get into a bidding war. City, meanwhile, have added Erling Haaland to their attack. United tried and failed to sign the Norwegian in 2019.
Still, with 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo the leading light up top, United still want a striker.
As a result, former Man Utd man Luke Chadwick has warned of increasing pressure on the Red Devils to deliver.
“For United, there’s no one that stands out who’s likely to be available,” Chadwick told Caught Offside.
“The best goal-scorers have gone to Man City and Liverpool, unfortunately, so it’s certainly a time for the recruitment team to pull out the stops to find these players.
“I can understand United fans are going to get a bit more edgy the longer it takes to get deals done.
“It’ll be interesting to see what the scouts and others in the recruitment team can come up with, because as it stands it’s been a good start to the window by Liverpool and City, but United really need three or four quality players to add to the excitement of the new manager coming in.”
Man Utd warned of Ten Hag transfer turmoil
Indeed, Chadwick warned that United and Ten Hag could be in “real trouble” if they do not deliver top new signings.
“I think if the squad is quite similar to last season the mood’s going to be a bit flat,” the pundit added.
“It is concerning. Obviously it’s still early in the summer, but it is concerning that no business has been done yet, and that not much progress seems to be being made on any particular players.
“You sort of get the feeling that if the recruitment can’t get this transfer window right, then the club’s going to be in real trouble. You don’t want to be leaving things to the last minute.”
United cannot avoid striker repeat
United turned to Ronaldo last summer in a shock move when it looked like Manchester City were going to sign him.
Before that, they brought in Edinson Cavani in October 2020 after failing to sign Jadon Sancho.
And before the Uruguayan, Odion Ighalo was the Red Devils’ previous striker signing. The Nigerian arrived as a late January 2020 signing after a shoulder injury to Marcus Rashford.
Man Utd need to change tack and cannot afford another short-term signing.
Nunez would have been an ideal addition for the future of the club’s attack. However, he is now the future of Liverpool.
United need to get a deal over the line and it remains unclear who – if anyone – they manage to get in.
