Manchester United won their first trophy in six years in Sunday’s League Cup final, defeating Newcastle United 2-0 and it looks like Erik ten Hag could finally be about to bring the good times back to Old Trafford.
Recent results have been excellent and the Dutchman’s shrewd business during the transfer window last summer has been integral to the club’s recent resurgence.
In came Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia as the Red Devils strengthened heavily, however, it was a deal for midfielder Christian Eriksen – the Dane who missed last weekend’s final – which has perhaps been one of Ten Hag’s finest, especially considering his performances this term while costing the club nothing.
The Danish star had only recently begun to play first-team football again having joined Brentford in January 2022 following his life-threatening collapse during a Euro 2020 match against Finland, where the player suffered a cardiac arrest.
His revival back into a top-level player has been nothing short of remarkable and following the end of his short-term contract at Brentford, United snapped him up on a free transfer in the summer and it has proven to be a wonderful piece of business.
The £150k-per-week star has impressed in the Premier League this term, registering seven assists, creating five big chances, and making 1.3 passes on average per match and his addition to this United squad has given them a genuine chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Statman Dave has previously dubbed the Dane as a “genius” and while he played no part in United’s cup win due to injury, his performances in the early stages of the competition went a long way to the club making the latter stages.
He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.22/10 across four matches, scoring once, taking 52 touches on average per game, and making an impressive 2.2 key passes each game, proving how great an attacking threat he was.
Indeed, Football Transfers now value the player at €16.9m (£15m), with that a mark of how much Ten Hag has hit the jackpot with the player. His performances have been a joy yo behold and as such, his value is surely only going to rise once get gets back into the starting XI following his injury.
Ten Hag could even make a major profit on Eriksen should he decide to sell, although that seems unlikely. The Dutchman is proving to be extremely diligent in the transfer window and the United faithful will be looking for that to long continue.
Manchester United: Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be forced out
Manchester United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is likely to leave the club during the summer, according to former top flight striker Frank McAvennie.
THE LOWDOWN: MINI-RESURGENCE FOR WAN-BISSAKA
At one point earlier in the season, the 25-year-old had completely lost his place in the team to Diogo Dalot, but an injury to the latter has afforded him more playing time.
Wan-Bissaka has made 17 appearances for United since the 2022 World Cup, nine of which have been a full 90 minutes, and he produced an impressive second-half performance in Sunday’s EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United.
Despite this, the defender has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford in recent times, with his current contract expiring at the end of next season.
THE LATEST: TEN HAG NOT A FAN?
Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie backed Wan-Bissaka to depart United during the summer transfer window, claiming Erik ten Hag’s preference for Dalot may be a contributing factor:
“I think so. I think the fans are not happy with him. He has not set the heather alight, he comes in and has been lethargic.
“I think he can do better than what he has been doing. Whether that is something to do with the manager not believing in him I do not know.
“There is going to be movement. There are a few of them that are going to move on and it is time for a change. Ten Hag has got them all interested in Man United again.”
Wan-Bissaka deserves undoubted praise for his improved form and show of character this season, averaging 1.9 tackles and 1.7 clearances per game in the Premier League.
That being said, United have to be ruthless with him and move him on this summer, with the three-time capped former England Under-21 international still not effective enough in an attacking sense moving forward.
Wan-Bissaka is a good player – he has been called ‘massively important’ by Marcus Rashford – but he is also limited in too many aspects of his game and Ten Hag needs to bring in a superior rival to Dalot, having only registered 11 assists in 144 appearances for the Red Devils.
Source: footballfancast.com; footballtransfertavern.com
