Manchester United transfer news as former manager Erik ten Hag could offer a solution to some problems this summer
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Erik Ten Hag has been appointed by Bayer Leverkusen
Erik Ten Hag has been appointed by Bayer Leverkusen(Image: 2025 Bayer 04 Leverkusen)
Erik ten Hag has taken on his first new management role since his Manchester United sacking, taking over at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Dutchman, 55, took of United in 2022 and was afforded until October of last year before Old Trafford chiefs decided drastic changes were needed. During his spell Ten Hag won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup but it was an underwhelming Premier League record against the backdrop of a £600m spend that made the decision clear.
After time off, he has returned to the dugout of a Bundesliga club entering an extremely fragile period. League and cup double-winning coach Xabi Alonso has departed, with certain high-profile players expected to follow him out of the exit door.
One of them, Florian Wirtz, is being tipped to collect a fee well in excess of €100m (£85m), which would give Ten Hag a healthy budget to use on his new squad, while Jeremie Frimpong is expected to fetch £30m from Liverpool.
Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News understands that no player at United is off limits from being sold this summer. The majority of those being former Ten Hag players could once again prompt a reunion.
The most obvious shouts would be members of his former Ajax cohort who followed to Old Trafford. First and foremost is Antony, who has been revitalised on loan at Real Betis and faces an uncertain future once he returns, could make an interesting replacement for Wirtz.
There is a report from BILD stating that a new playmaker will be on the agenda if the 22-year-old moves to Anfield, and whilst Antony is not a direct substitution, he has the skillset.
If he is looking for a No.10, Christian Eriksen is now confirmed to be leaving as his contract ends, so wouldn't get United a fee as Antony would but could move to Germany for free.
A goalkeeper is also said to be required at the BayArena, so perhaps Ten Hag could once again seek out the services of Andre Onana, who has failed to impress this season. Altay Bayindir is an alternative option.
With two central defenders also said to be sought after, Victor Lindelof is another player who could complete a free transfer now that his time in England is coming to an end after eight years.
Finally, BILD's report comments on the expectation of Victor Boniface being sold, therefore Leverkusen would need a new striker. Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee face extreme uncertainty this summer should Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap both be signed, so could offer Ten Hag and United a surefire solution to their respective conundrums.
Three more suggestions can be made, starting with Alejandro Garnacho. The Argentine winger has been told he can leave the club by Amorim. As Ten Hag brought him through into the senior team, their bond could prove strong once again in a new environment.
Finally both Leverkusen full-backs are linked with moves away - Jeremie Frimpong seemingly all-but confirmed to be another Liverpool signing whilst speculation grows over Alex Grimaldo.
United have Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot who Amorim has so far used but sees alternative signings, like Patrick Dorgu, as the way forward.
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