Erik ten Hag pictured after becoming the new Bayer Leverkusen head coach.
Erik ten Hag pictured after becoming the new Bayer Leverkusen head coach.
Manchester United clearly need a huge rebuild this summer if they are to bounce back to where they once were, let alone anywhere near that level.
Partly responsible for their fall from grace is former manager Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman oversaw a trio of at best underwhelming transfer windows which culminated in United's worst start to a Premier League campaign, and his sacking in October 2024.
And yet, despite this, he could be United's saviour, in part, this summer. After Ruben Amorim was unable to rescue a poor campaign, United face the reality of no European football next season - and the challenges that accompany that fate on the pitch and in the transfer market.
The club knows they need to offer Amorim money to fund a rebuild but due to their financial worries, sales will be needed first to allow United to spend. This has led Al-Hilal to test the waters, as they aim to poach Fernandes from United.
It's said that the Saudi Pro League club will offer United £100million for Fernandes, and The Manchester Evening News understands that the club are open to accepting that offer. It's widely agreed that Fernandes was United's best player last season and selling him for £100million would be a drastic decision.
However, if they are struggling to sell players who have underperformed, there may not be another option. This is where Ten Hag comes in...
Kicker understands that incoming Bayer Leverkusen manager, Ten Hag, is thinking about planning a double raid on United having sold Jeremie Frimpong and potentially Florian Wirtz, as well, to Liverpool. Claimed to be in his cross-hairs are Antony and Alejandro Garnacho, two players who are available for sale this summer.
United will need at least £32.5million for Antony to avoid a PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) blow. Meanwhile, the club are also looking to make a big profit on Garnacho who they value at around £60million.
If Ten Hag was to buy both United wingers for the prices above, this would negate the pressure to sell Fernandes and allow Amorim to rebuild the team in his image. This masterplan is almost too perfect and the pitfall is clear.
United are relying on Leverkusen receiving the money they expect from Liverpool. If that does not happen, United may have to accept a grim impending reality without their captain and talisman.
Alejandro Garnacho celebrates with Antony. (Image: David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images.)
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