Is the Summer Transfer Market Already Going Wrong for Manchester United?

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This summer has been marked as one of major change for Manchester United. The appointment of Erik ten Hag as manager is seen as the beginning of a new chapter for the Red Devils and that begins by making changes to the squad.

There have already been plenty of outgoings, with Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani, and Nemanja Matic the most high-profile players to leave the club, all without commanding a transfer fee.

Anthony Martial has retuned to Old Trafford following an unsuccessful spell at Sevilla, where he played only 9 times and failed to score a single goal in La Liga.

Andreas Pereira returns to Manchester United from a loan at Flamengo in Brazil where he has performed well at times but is unlikely to be in the plans of the new manager.

Axel Tuanzebe, Tahith Chong, and Facundo Pellistri have also come back to Manchester United following loans away from the club and all three may find themselves surplus to requirements again next season.

In terms of incoming transfers, there has been a lot of speculation surrounding a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. However, reports are the Dutchman is not keen on making the move to Old Trafford and will need some persuading by Ten Hag to compete the transfer.

There is no sign on a fee having been agreed between the two clubs and this is one that could drag on throughout the summer transfer window, which would be far from ideal for Manchester United.

De Jong played 32 times for Barcelona in La Liga but managed only 3 assists, although he did have the highest passing success rate of any player in the league to play over 26 matches.

Darwin Nunez is another player who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United but the striker appears set to join Liverpool, which would be a huge blow.

The Benfica man has reportedly agreed personal terms with Liverpool and although Manchester United are maintaining interest in the player, unless they offer a massive financial package, Nunez will make the switch to Anfield. The striker scored 26 goals in the Portuguese topflight last season and struck 6 times in the Champions League.

If De Jong decides he is going to stay at Barcelona or move to a team other than Manchester United, that will leave the club red faced as they have failed to land their two main targets.

John Murtough is now the main man for Manchester United when it comes to transfer business, he has experience of bringing some younger players to the club but is responsible for the main transfers this summer.

Christian Eriksen is a name that continues to crop-up in Manchester United transfer talk and the Danish international is available on a free transfer.

Eriksen is not the big-name signing Manchester United fans are waiting for but at 30 years of age, he has a couple of good years left in him at the top of the game. Eriksen would not be a major signing but would certainly be a smart one.

Aside from De Jong and Nunez, there is not a great deal of noise coming out of Old Trafford. Either there are some deals being done on the quiet or we could be about to witness a disappointing first transfer window for Ten Hag.