Ten Hag has five-player Man Utd transfer wishlist despite Ratcliffe's reluctance

12 December 2023 , 20:06

1236     0

Ten Hag has five-player Man Utd transfer wishlist despite Ratcliffe's reluctance

Erik ten Hag is on a collision course with Sir Jim Ratcliffe - with the under-pressure Manchester United manager compiling a January transfer wishlist of five players.

A deal that will see the INEOS chief purchase a 25 per cent stake in Manchester United is seemingly imminent, with Ratcliffe himself keen to be in control of footballing matters at the club before the New Year. But although Mirror Football understands he does not want any kind of squad overhaul next month, the club's manager has drawn up a wishlist.

Despite spending more than £170million in the summer, an inconsistent campaign was compounded on Saturday by a humiliating 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth. And the jury very much remains out on summer signings Mason Mount and Andre Onana, while Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score in the Premier League.

And with the likes of Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek expected to depart in January, and Antony Martial's contract expiring at the end of the season, Ten Hag is chasing three forward players. According to the Daily Mail, Brentford's Ivan Toney is a primary target.

Toney, who has also been linked with Arsenal, has been banned since May after breaching FA betting regulations. But that suspension expires on January 17, although the reported price tag upwards of £70million may be a stumbling block irrespective of whether the Ratcliffe deal goes through.

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

Leipzig striker Timo Werner and Stuttgart's Serhou Guirassy are also reportedly being lined-up. And furthermore, Ten Hag is keen on defensive reinforcements with Rafael Varane out of favour and Lisandro Martinez still out with injury.

Erik ten Hag wants new signings in January (Getty Images)

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should United buy in January? Comment below.

Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite in on Ten Hag's radar and he is also said to be keen to move again for Jean-Clair Todibo of Nice, after a failed approach in the summer. But it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe will sanction such drastic transfer action as soon as he steps through the door at Old Trafford.

United have now spent more than £1billion since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. However, the Glazer family have been regularly accused of hampering club finances by taking money out of the club.

The weight of Ten Hag's January spending power could depend on whether United progress in the Champions League. They need to beat Bayern Munich on Tuesday to have any hope of making the last-16, but even then will be reliant on the game between Copenhagen and Galatasaray ending in a draw.

Fraser Watson