Ten Hag defied deadline day transfer advice Ferguson insisted upon

06 September 2023 , 01:00

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Ten Hag defied deadline day transfer advice Ferguson insisted upon

Erik ten Hag ignored the the philosophy of Sir Alex Ferguson to push through one of Manchester United 's deadline day moves.

The Red Devils brought in Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon and Sofyan Amrabat on the final day of the window, while Jonny Evans signed a short-term contract. That move for Reguilon came after United saw Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia struck by injury.

With Brandon Williams and Alex Telles leaving Old Trafford, the first on loan to Ipswich Town and the second to Al-Nassr, Ten Hag pushed for a replacement. That proved to be Reguilon, with the left-back being brought in on a season-long loan from Tottenham.

There was an option in United's academy in Alvaro Fernandez, who spent last season on loan at Championship Preston. He won the young player of the year award at Deepdale, leading to a belief he could spend more time in United's first-team squad.

According to The Athletic, club chiefs pushed his candidacy to challenge Diogo Dalot for the left-back place. Fernandez had been close to completing a loan move to Granada, but that was put on hold after the injury to Shaw.

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While Fernandez was floated as an option, Ten Hag pressed for a replacement with Premier League experience. That led to United drawing up a shortlist of emergency options, with Marc Cucurella their top target.

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Erik ten Hag ignored Sir Alex Ferguson's advice to sign Sergio Reguilon (Manchester United via Getty Images)

A series of complications put paid to United's pursuit of the Chelsea star though, including the Blues' valuation for a loan fee and Cucurell's appearance in the Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon.

That led to the signing of Reguilon, with United covering his £115,000 per week wages in full. But it is a signing that flies in the face of Ferguson's philosophy of promoting young talent and giving them a chance.

"That would apply to almost every club apart from Manchester United because, to be honest with you, in the history of Manchester United from Matt Busby's days to my time, that has to really be a foundation of the club; it has to be the strongest point," he told ESPN in 2015.

"And that's what I honestly believe the supporters want to see. Man United supporters want to see the young players coming through. So I think in other circumstances you are correct but, for Manchester United, they will always be a very strong in bringing young players through."

Fernandez did eventually get his loan move, joining Granada late on transfer deadline day. He will spend the full season with the LaLiga side, having been among the substitutes for United's recent win over Nottingham Forest.

Jacob Leeks