Erik ten Hag pinpoints center of eight Manchester United players he can trust..
Erik ten Hag pinpoints core of eight Manchester United players he can trust, as Ralf Rangnick claims club needs to make ‘ten’ new signings this summer
Newly-appointed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has reportedly sounded out a core of eight players he feels he can trust when he takes charge next season.
The Dutchman will leave Dutch champions Ajax to take charge at Manchester United in the summer, and is said to have been keeping a watchful eye on events at Old Trafford ahead of his move.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Ten Hag and the club are putting together a ‘plan of action’ ready for when he takes over.
Part of this plan is to look to revitalise the career of Harry Maguire, who has struggled for form and consistency for the Red Devils.
The Dutchman is said to been keen to determine why Maguire appears far more comfortable playing for England than for United, and is also looking to bolster his squad with the acquisition of a left-sided central defender to provide support for the club captain.
Meanwhile, the report suggests Ten Hag is keeping tabs on the future of Marcus Rashford and is considering whether the 24-year-old can relaunch his career after an indifferent spell where he has been reduced to a bit-part role.
Rashford has one year left on his contract and reports in France have linked Paris Saint-Germain with a move for the forward if, as expected, Kylian Mbappe moves on this summer.
Ten Hag is also rumoured to be reviewing the future of right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka who moved to Old Trafford from Crystal Palace for £50million in 2019.
It will be a summer of change at Old Trafford with Ten Hag and his team taking over the reins, as well as some expected squad upheaval.
As many as four out-of-contract players look set to leave this summer with potentially more to follow.
Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani are likely to move on in the exodus, whilst Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard are also set to leave through the exit door.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick has reportedly told United officials that United need at least ten new recruits in the next transfer window, citing two new strikers as a priority.
After United’s 3-0 win over Brentford on Monday night, Rangnick admitted that he expects top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo to stay at Old Trafford next season despite rumours that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could be looking to move on.
Ronaldo was on hand to net his 18th league goal of the campaign, with the returning superstar proving to be one of the bright sparks in a frustrating season for United.
