Erik ten Hag is reportedly set to copy Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola by making a major signing that could transform Manchester United’s fortunes.
This week, the Red Devils crashed out of the Europa League after a 3-0 defeat to Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
In the first leg United threw away a 2-0 lead to draw courtesy of two own goals, but, Ten Hag’s side stooped to new lows in the return leg.
On Thursday night a mix-up between Harry Maguire and David De Gea led to Sevilla’s seventh-minute opening goal.
The La Liga side then doubled the lead through a Loic Bade header before United’s defeat was compounded by a De Gea error which gifted En-Nesyri his second of the night and Sevilla’s third.
According to the Mirror, De Gea’s poor display in Spain has raised doubts among the United hierarchy about the wisdom of extending his contract.
The Mirror claimed that close to 12 senior players are set to be sold this summer, as Ten Hag begins the second phase of his United rebuild.
And, the injury-prone Anthony Martial has been tipped to leave the club alongside Maguire and De Gea.
And while Maguire and Martial were said to be on the outgoings list before Thursday’s embarrassment against Sevilla, De Gea’s display raised questions about his suitability as United’s number one.
Ten Hag wants a goalkeeper capable of playing the ball out from defence, which is a major weakness in De Gea’s game.
The 32-year-old will be out of contract this summer though United are now in talks with him over a new deal on reduced terms.
The Mirror added that Ten Hag was “aware” of how Man City and Liverpool were transformed by the signings of new goalkeepers and believes United need to make a similar signing to challenge for the title.
Upon arriving at City, Guardiola sold long-term number one Joe Hart, replacing the former England international with Ederson, who is maybe the best goalkeeper in the world with his feet.
Meanwhile, Klopp paid £66.8m to sign Alisson Becker from Roma in 2018, with the keeper’s ball-playing ability and shot-stopping excellence having helped transform Liverpool into title contenders.
