Ranking Every Ten Hag Man Utd Signing So Far: From Hits to Misses
Erik ten Hag's arrival at Manchester United marked a new era for the club. With a clear vision and tactical acumen, the Dutch manager has been busy reshaping the Red Devils into a formidable force. His transfer dealings have been crucial to this transformation, with some signings proving to be absolute hits, while others have struggled to make their mark.
Let's take a look at every Ten Hag signing so far and rank them based on their impact, potential, and contribution to the team:
Tier 1: The Untouchables
1. Casemiro (Midfielder): The Brazilian maestro instantly became a game-changer upon his arrival. His defensive solidity, tactical awareness, and ability to control the midfield have been invaluable to United's success. Casemiro has transformed the team's spine and is arguably the most important signing of the Ten Hag era.
2. Lisandro Martínez (Defender): This Argentine titan has proven to be a rock at the back. His aggressive style, aerial dominance, and impressive tackling ability have been essential to United's improved defensive record. Martínez has quickly established himself as a fan favourite and a key player in the starting eleven.
3. Antony (Winger): This Brazilian winger arrived with a lot of hype and has delivered in spades. His blistering pace, exceptional dribbling skills, and knack for creating goals have added a new dimension to United's attack. Antony has shown glimpses of brilliance and is developing into a truly dangerous attacking threat.
Tier 2: The Promising Starters
4. Christian Eriksen (Midfielder): The Danish playmaker has seamlessly slotted into the midfield, providing creativity, vision, and a calmness on the ball. His ability to control the tempo of games and pick out passes has been crucial to United's success. Eriksen is a key player in the squad and has proven to be a shrewd signing.
5. Rasmus Højlund (Striker): While still early in his Manchester United career, Højlund has shown glimpses of his potential. His physicality, pace, and clinical finishing ability make him a dangerous striker. With time and experience, he could become a true goal threat in the Premier League.
6. Tyrell Malacia (Left-Back): This young Dutch defender has impressed with his pace, tenacity, and attacking threat. While not a guaranteed starter, Malacia has provided strong competition at left-back and proven to be a reliable option for Ten Hag.
Tier 3: The Fringe Players
7. Marcel Sabitzer (Midfielder): Sabitzer's arrival on loan was a shrewd move to bolster the midfield during an injury crisis. While he has shown flashes of quality, he hasn't been able to secure a regular starting spot.
8. Alejandro Garnacho (Winger): The young Argentine winger has shown great promise, but consistency is key. He needs to improve his decision-making and final ball to truly unlock his full potential. Garnacho has the potential to be a future star but is still in the early stages of his development.
9. Wout Weghorst (Striker): Weghorst arrived on loan as a temporary solution but has struggled to make a lasting impact. His lack of goalscoring prowess has been a concern, and it remains to be seen if he will have a long-term future at the club.
Tier 4: The Disappointments
10. Martin Dúbravka (Goalkeeper): The Slovakian goalkeeper's loan move didn't live up to expectations. He failed to dislodge David de Gea as the first-choice goalkeeper and didn't make a significant impact on the squad.
Conclusion:
Erik ten Hag has overseen a significant rebuild at Manchester United, and his transfer dealings have been key to his success. The club's success in the 2022/23 season was a testament to his shrewd recruitment. The club has brought in players who fit his tactical vision and have the potential to be key players in the team's long-term future. While some signings have been more successful than others, the overall direction of Ten Hag's transfer policy has been positive, laying the foundation for a brighter future for the Red Devils.