Manchester United’s goal every season is the same. Winning silverware is the bare minimum for one of the world’s biggest clubs.
They did that last term, beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but their league form stuttered, as they came home in sixth.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe put his faith in Erik ten Hag over the summer and handed him a one-year extension and he has also backed him in the transfer market.
The Red Devils have spent nearly £100million on Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee alone, with signs pointing to more additions by the time the window shuts.
But is it enough to bridge the gap to their noisy neighbours at the summit?
Working the market
Man Utd have been busy this summer.
On top of bringing Yoro and Zirkzee to the club, they have been working hard to ship some unwanted deadwood.
Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Mason Greenwood and Donny van de Beek have all departed, saving a fortune on wages.
New tunnel ✔️
New season 🔜#MUFC pic.twitter.com/YBhOFHL0Zh
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 9, 2024
There is also interest from Paris Saint-Germain in Jadon Sancho, which would ease any other financial pressures the club may have.
But do the incoming duo have the required quality to challenge for major honours?
Well, Yoro is still a very much unknown entity. The 18-year-old signed from Lille after an impressive campaign, but he still looks raw and will need to be moulded by some experienced heads at Old Trafford.
Zirkzee was the Netherlands’ third-choice striker at Euro 2024 but had a storming season in Serie A with Bologna.
The 23-year-old scored 12 goals and recorded seven assists in 37 appearances across all competitions and led his team to a fifth-placed finish.
They are not two big names that Man Utd fans are so used to seeing, but this change in strategy may work in their favour.
There is no guarantee that the club will shoot to the top, but it is clear that Ten Hag’s youthful recruitment policy reflects a new approach to…
Source link : https://www.101greatgoals.com/news/manchester-united-bridge-gap-to-premier-league-rivals/
Author : Mitch Fretton
Publish date : 2024-08-12 09:00:26
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