Eric ten Hagg’s plan is unraveling.
Under Van Gaal, Manchester United have been noticeably different. This is not the same United that faltered under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Rangnick in 2021-22. There were some crushing defeats, but a steady stream of points helped them finish in the top four, ahead of the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. A final third-place finish earned them a ticket to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) 먹튀검증.
This summer, United made a major reinforcement push. Despite their progress, their squad was not as competitive as their peers, so investment was essential if they were to compete in the English Premier League (EPL) and UCL next season. They needed a striker and a defender. In midfield, they needed someone to take the pressure off Casemiro. Several players were on United’s radar.
Victor Osimhen, Harry Kane, and Rasmus Højlund were among the striker targets. The number one target for a defender was Kim Min-Jae. They have Lisandro Martinez and Rafael Varane, but their other center backs are unreliable, so the idea was to bring in Kim to build a solid defense. The club had parted ways with Phil Jones and Axel Thuanzebe, and there was a move to sell Harry Maguire.
The midfield target was Declan Rice. Rice is a proven EPL midfielder who plays for West Ham United. He’s a defensive midfielder, but he’s an all-rounder with buildup, aggression, and good physicality.
He made history by leading West Ham to the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) trophy. He has long been the subject of interest from big clubs, and it seemed likely that Rice would leave this summer in search of a new team 메이저놀이터추천.
With targets set early, United were poised for a successful summer transfer window. The problem was the club’s internal situation. The delayed acquisitions made it difficult to reach out to targets. It was difficult to set a table and talk about transfer fees, salaries, etc. There were rumors that Qatar Capital was the favorite to take over, but nothing was confirmed, and targets were being linked to other teams.
Kim Min-jae is very likely to join Bayern Munich. According to French journalist Santi Auna of Foot Mercato, “Kim Min-jae has made a decision. He has chosen Munich as the club where he will continue his career.”
European soccer transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano added: “The deal between Kim Min-jae and Munich is almost agreed. It’s just a matter of time before they trigger the release clause and finalize it,” adding that Kim will be under contract until 2028.
Rice has also received interest from Munich, but Arsenal seems to be the favorite. According to the UK’s Telegraph, “Rice is Arsenal’s top target this summer. Directors Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar are working on a deal to sign Rice. They have moved a step closer to a record £92 million signing.”
German Sky Sports reporter Florian Platenberg said: “Rice is not moving to Munich. Munich decided today not to submit an offer after all. The player’s transfer fee has become more expensive. Rice is now on the verge of joining Arsenal.”
The targets are all on their way to other teams. Britain’s ‘Daily Mirror’ reported on the 18th (KST), “United have been working hard to sign Kim Min-jae and Rice, but their transfer plans have been hit by delays. There has been a buffer on all transactions, which has frustrated Van Gaal. “He was frustrated that he was missing out on targets because of the delays, as he had emphasized the need to make investments,” the source said of United’s situation.
After losing out on Kim, United are understood to have turned their attention to Axel Dijsassi and Julien Timber. Other targets are also being sought after. Obviously, they’re not as good as the first choice. It’s been a frustrating summer for United fans and Van Gaal.