Erik Ten Hag will need the transfer window to assemble a squad of his liking if he becomes the permanent manager of Manchester United. While preliminary reports suggested current Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino as United’s favoured candidate for the role, Ten Hag’s “vision and philosophy” for United is said to have majorly contributed to his emergence as the foremost target in recent days.

Ten Hag, reportedly, held talks with United earlier this week. It was part of the club’s “thorough process” in interviewing potential candidates for the role. Ten Hag is said to have held “positive talks” with the club. He has expressed his vision alongside enquiring about the club’s budget and plans for the future. However, while Ten Hag remains the favoured candidate, United are said to be continuing with the interviewing process, with the final decision likely to involve several factors.

The Dutchman has garnered numerous admirers amongst the United fan base and Europe as manager of Ajax. Ten Hag is likely to take an ambitious step in his managerial career over the next couple of weeks. The club will need to recruit a raft of players this summer.

Many expect Ten Hag to stamp his own authority vis-à-vis to executing a new direction for the club on the pitch. He will also need to focus on improving the team’s recruitment process. He has already proven his potential in rebuilding teams with a clear identity in coaching them at Ajax. Ten Hag will be looking to improve the current set of players present at Manchester United, besides using the transfer window to bring in the necessary personnel to execute his vision for next season.

This article is the second of a three-part series focusing on the potential assessment of Erik Ten Hag as Manchester United manager, vis-à-vis his philosophy and likelihood of bringing change to the club’s fortunes on the pitch.

Potential Targets

1) Aurélien Tchouaméni – Central Defensive Midfielder

Tchouameni is expected to move to a European giant in the summer as he continues to impress for AS Monaco. He is garnering the attention of top managers across Europe ahead of the transfer window. United also need reinforcement in the midfield department. The young Frenchman has emerged as a promising candidate in solving part of their existing problems on the pitch whilst serving as a player suitable to Ten Hag’s vision for the team, moving forward.

With United lacking a specialist holding midfielder, Tchouaméni has emerged as a top target alongside Declan Rice for the club this summer. Both players remain tailored to fulfilling the requirements of Ten Hag’s system. But their difference in valuation is likely to tilt the club in favour of Tchouaméni in the transfer. Although boasting a range of attributes vis-à-vis positioning, physicality, and composure in possession similar to Rice, Tchouaméni’s reading of the game remains comparably superior to that of Rice. The Frenchman also edges the English midfielder across numerous possession attributes recorded during the 2020/21 campaign.

However, Tchouameni is likely to attract bids from several of Europe’s big clubs this summer. So United will keep an eye on developments as they scout their midfield targets for the upcoming transfer window. With Erik Ten Hag expected to demand a disciplined and promising young talent in the midfield in the summer transfer window, Tchouaméni emerges as a player capable of living up to expectations at a big club like Manchester United.

2) Darwin Nunez – Striker

Having crept up on the radar of several clubs this season owing to his splendid performances, Nunez is likely to seek an ambitious move this summer. With United in the market for a young striker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo after the following season, the young Uruguayan emerges as a promising candidate capable of developing into a fearsome striker for the Red Devils under Ten Hag.

Boasting an intimidating physicality alongside sublime technical skills, the Benfica striker has netted 31 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions for the club this season. Moreover, possessing traits similar to Borussia Dortmund’s highly-revered Norwegian striker Erling Haaland, the 22-year-old is capable of reaching new heights at United under the management of Ten Hag.

Known for his clinical nature in the box alongside his strength, pace, and commendable work rate as the lead striker, Nunez is tailored to Ten Hag’s prospective vision for the team. With the Dutchman regarded for developing promising youngsters at Ajax, Nunez could fulfil his potential at United over the coming seasons. However, with many clubs expected to line up for his signing, United will be keen on luring the Uruguayan to the club provided Ten Hag demands his services ahead of next season.

3) Jules Kounde – Centre-Back

Likely to move clubs following a break-down in developments with Chelsea last summer, Kounde emerges as a proven figure capable of improving United’s backline under Ten Hag for the upcoming campaign. Having already shown his potential at Sevilla and the national team, the Frenchman could find himself at Old Trafford next season, provided the Red Devils meet his valuation in the summer.

See More:

• Manchester United Close-In On Erik Ten Hag – Who Would The Dutchman Retain Amongst The Team’s Current Crop Of Players?
• Manchester United Could Sign A Player They Were Interested In Previously For Just £13million
• €86M Rated Striker Needs To Make A Decision On His Manchester United Future: Should He Leave To Find Form Somewhere Else?

With United having struggled to keep clean sheets and build from the back throughout the current campaign, Kounde’s presence could add the necessary composure and intelligence with and without possession in Ten Hag’s flexible system and philosophy. Moreover, given his tendency to read dangers and contribute with valuable interceptions in defensive phases, the Frenchman emerges as an ideal candidate provided the Dutchman looks to recruit a centre-back in the summer.

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