Erik ten Hag could pull big-money Man United U-turn after latest – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Man United may not need a mega-money rebuild following their successful pre-season exploits under Erik ten Hag.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Dutchman won’t need to “spend big” if he can get the best out of the stars already in the ranks at Old Trafford.
As quoted by the Manchester Evening News in the wake of Man United’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat against Liverpool last season (20 April), interim boss Ralf Rangnick revealed United would look to sign as many as 10 new players this summer.
However, the Red Devils have so far made only three additions – centre-back Lisandro Martinez, left-back Tyrell Malacia, and midfielder Christian Eriksen.
Meanwhile, eight stars have departed Old Trafford during the off-season – including Paul Pogba, Dean Henderson, and Edinson Cavani.
Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “There’s no doubt that when you look at the Man United team on paper before games – it can look very good.
“But they didn’t have any idea how to play last season. There was no identity – everything looked very off the cuff.
“You can’t put a team of big-name players out there without some sort of structure.
“This is what Ten Hag is putting together, and that’ll be why they’re having a successful pre-season.
“You don’t really need to go and spend big at Man United – if you look at some of the talent they already have.
“They just need a style of play that suits what they have in the ranks. There will be places which need improvement, and Ten Hag is going out and doing that.
“I’m sure there’ll be more signings, but he’s having a good look at the players already at the club who are trying to turn things around.“
In other news, pundit brands international midfielder ‘not good enough’ for Man United as replacement mooted.