Man Utd 'divided' on signing behind the scenes as Erik ten Hag targets reinforcements
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag wants the club to back him in this summer's transfer window following his side's 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in Saturday's FA Cup final defeat.
Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to use FA Cup final defeat as motivation
Manchester United are currently unlikely to pursue a deal for West Ham star Declan Rice, reports say. The England international is one player being linked with a move to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag looks to improve his squad following Saturday’s FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City at Wembley. However, with staff previously divided over a deal for the Hammers star, the Red Devils look set to chase other targets instead.
Manchester United want a new midfielder this summer, with the club unwilling to sign Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich on a permanent basis.
And The Athletic say that while Rice has been ‘long tracked’ by the club, recruitment staff have ‘failed to come to a consensus about a move’ in previous transfer windows.
As a result, United are merely ‘keeping abreast’ of the England international’s situation.
A move isn’t entirely out of the question but, with West Ham demanding over £100million to let their captain go, he appears to be beyond the Red Devils’ reach.
Instead, Harry Kane and Mason Mount seem to be the club’s priority targets at the current moment in time.
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Man Utd staff have been divided over Declan Rice transfer deal (Image: GETTY)
Ten Hag is also willing to be ruthless this summer, with the Dutchman ready to jettison existing members of his squad in order to raise funds.
Harry Maguire is star facing an exit, with the United captain falling behind the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof in the club’s pecking order this season.
Much-maligned duo Fred and Scott McTominay are also likely to leave.
And Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Anthony Elanga, Anthony Martial and Dean Henderson have all potentially played their last games for the club.
Regarding Rice, meanwhile, former West Ham star David James has called on the midfielder to stay at the London Stadium and be a ‘one-club legend’.
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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag is eyeing Harry Kane and Mason Mount transfer deals (Image: GETTY)
"You look at Mark Noble and everything he achieved at West Ham, there would have been plenty of teams who wanted him at his peak, but he stayed there to the end and secured legendary status,” he said.
"Declan Rice has the rare chance to do that, same as Harry Kane at Tottenham."
Rice is a top target for Arsenal.
But whether the Gunners are able to afford the player remains to be seen, despite securing a return to the Champions League.