Controlling interests set to define future of Reds’ transfers
ERIK ten Hag was unconditional about the guarantee he needed above all others when it came to taking the Manchester United job in April 2022.
The Dutchman emerged as the club’s first-choice target ahead of Mauricio Pochettino and he impressed club officials during discussions in Amsterdam, but he told
United’s football director John Murtough he needed control of recruitment.
“I set requirements in advance about how I want to work,” he told Dutch outlet Trouw in April 2022. “If they aren’t granted, I won’t do it. I am ultimately responsible and accounted for the results. I don’t want to be the sole ruler, I stand for cooperation, but control in transfers is a condition for me.”
Nobody can dispute Ten Hag has had exactly that in his time at Old Trafford. He’s had so much control over transfers that it’s probably harmed the prospects of Murtough remaining in his role under INEOS once their 25% stake in the club is confirmed.
Murtough has given Ten Hag what he wants in the transfer market, but now doubts are growing over so many of those signings and it doesn’t reflect well on either man.
It’s easier to count the signings that Ten Hag has made that he had no prior connection to. The loans of Martin Dubravka, Jack Butland, Sergio Reguilon and Marcel Sabitzer. The transfers of Altay Bayindir, Jonny Evans and Casemiro. Beyond that, all of the arrivals have had some kind of link to Ten Hag,
That is most obvious in the former players that have followed him to the club; Andre Onana, Lisandro
Martinez, Sofyan Amrabat and Antony, the £85million winger who might be the most damaging signing of them all. Then there are the players he was familiar with from the Netherlands; Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Wout Weghorst.
Finally, there are the signings which have the fingerprints of SEG, the company of Ten Hag’s agent Kees Vos, all over them. They were prominent in their involvement in deals over the summer, most notably the £72million signing of Rasmus Hojlund. INEOS are likely to take one look at that collection of players and decide control in transfers is the last thing Ten Hag needs. Have a say, by all means, but giving the former Ajax manager freedom hasn’t worked for United so far. The danger in the approach United have taken with Ten Hag is that if he fails, replacing him becomes a much more costly exer
I don’t want to be the sole ruler, I stand for cooperation, but control in transfers is a condition for me. Erik Ten Hag
cise. It’s no longer a case of paying Ten Hag off and finding a new manager.
Whoever comes in, are they likely to want Malacia, Amrabat and Antony? Do they see the same potential in Hojlund? Can they find a role for Mount and Bruno Fernandes in the same midfield? This is why elite clubs now have sporting directors in place who hold the power when it comes to purse strings.
It’s a lesson United have taken too long to learn. The evidence of Ten Hag’s recruitment strategy at Old
Trafford is that it’s taking him too long to understand the calibre of player required for the club.
When INEOS appoint a sporting director, it is that figure who will become the lead voice in transfer discussions.
Ten Hag already needs to improve results to prove to Sir Jim Ratcliffe he is the right man for the job, but even if he achieves that, the next point of contention will be whether he accepts a reduced role in recruitment.
Two years ago, he was adamant he wouldn’t.