![]() ![]() In part one, the manager looks at everything from what he inherited and squad depth to setting about building a new spine and ‘educated gambles’ in the transfer market. It has been a campaign leading up to the significant opportunities of this summer transfer window.Īlex Neil, who replaced Michael O’Neill in August, sat down with StokeonTrentLive to reflect on the following nine months and preview how he will try to make sure there are better times ahead. It was a campaign marked by decent away form, an awful home record and a lot of changes, including in the squad and in the dug-out. Successful Premier League sides are built on players in their prime, a necessity if United are to reach theirs.Stoke City have finished their fifth season back in the Championship sitting in 16th, the fifth year in a row condemned to the bottom half. United have a number of exciting youngsters, led by Alejandro Garnacho, alongside an experienced spine and a few players who could rightly be considered in their peak years, but it's here where work can be done. ![]() ![]() Both players are established internationals who could slot straight in, but also have the potential to develop further while offering a re-sale value should one be required down the line. Ten Hag knows this and acted in the summer to sign Antony and Lisandro Martinez. With Bruno Fernandes 30 next year and a clutch of squad players in the same bracket, United must adapt their transfer policy accordingly. Kane turns 30 this summer and would join David de Gea, Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Christian Eriksen as first-choice players who are fighting the grains of time. This year, many quality players really want to come." "It looks like there were a lot of reservations last year, a lot of doubts when we approached players. They are really keen to come, I've noticed that. "There were a lot of reservations last year when I spoke with players and now many players see the project, what's going on, the dynamic and the ambition in this project, the quality especially. "I see a big difference in comparison with last year," he said last week. Indeed the Dutchman has no concerns about selling the club to any prospective signings. It would be a no-brainer if United are able to twist Daniel Levy's arm.īut elsewhere, Ten Hag must plan ahead and shape a policy designed to benefit United for next term and in the years to come. ![]() The Tottenham forward is a prolific Premier League goalscorer and would bring guaranteed goals and much more besides. There's a necessity for the here and now, particularly up front, where the arrival of Harry Kane would be impossible to argue with. He'll be making many more over the months to come and while the areas in need of improvement are obvious, Ten Hag must ensure he finds the right balance. Ten Hag has already shown he has autonomy on recruitment, evidenced by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and the winter loan arrival of Wout Weghorst - a Ten Hag signing and a Ten Hag decision.ĪLSO READ: Garnacho has an advantage Januzaj didn't have at United Expensive flops, failed pursuits and a seeming willingness to sign on name alone resulted in woeful window after woeful window. Transfer windows gone by are proof enough of that. It will be qualified as a successful first year for the Dutchman who has helped instil an identity and a coherent plan to a club that for the past few seasons had been devoid of both. The Reds look set to secure Champions League football for next season via a top-four finish in the Premier League while they could yet add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup they already have in the Old Trafford trophy cabinet. Manchester United and Erik ten Hag are in confident mood heading into the summer. ![]()
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