Ten Hag’s top three Man Utd targets are clear as day after Spurs draw

Spurs v Man Utd: Pictures

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was left unhappy after his side’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Thursday night. The Red Devils had gone ahead courtesy of goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, only for Pedro Porro and Son Heung-Min to peg them back. And it’s no wonder why the Red Devils want to land a new right-back, midfielder and striker based on the enthralling Premier League contest.

Manchester United went ahead in the seventh minute through Sancho, with the forward curling home from an angle.

And things then went from bad to worse for Tottenham, with Rashford doubling the Red Devils’ lead just moments before the half time whistle.

It seemed a formality that United would emerge victorious, especially given the way they dominated the first 45 minutes and the doom and gloom mood that seems to engulf Spurs these days.

Yet football can be a funny old game and Tottenham ended up mounting a stirring comeback to salvage a point and keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, while remote, alive.

It was a frustrating day for United and, certainly, it’s clear to see why Ten Hag has drawn up the transfer plans he has – regardless of what happens with regards to a potential takeover.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has done well at right-back in recent times, without a doubt impressing during Sunday night’s tense FA Cup victory over Brighton at Wembley.

Yet he still requires coaching through matches and, on more than one occasion,Ten Hag could be spotted criticising the 25-year-old for the way he conducted himself.

Wan-Bissaka is strong defensively but remains infuriatingly inconsistent. Going forward remains a particular weakness, something United are well aware of.

Jeremie Frimpong is one player being linked and, when it comes to an offensive point of view, the Bayer Leverkusen star would be a welcome arrival at Old Trafford.

While United bossed the opening 45 minutes, with Christian Eriksen and Casemiro playing well, they’re also short in midfield.

Eriksen is a great player but not a physcial one and Tottenham, inspired by the robust Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, were able to exploit that weakness.

Ten Hag sensed this, which is why he brought on Fred – who provided energy at a time when Spurs’ evening was starting to turn a corner.

But United need a player who can do it all in midfield. If cloning was available, Bruno Fernandes would probably be Ten Hag’s preferred test subject.

Eriksen is beautiful to watch but is defensively lacking. Had Fred been brought on earlier, perhaps it would have been a different night at the office for the visitors.

Frenkie de Jong remains a player United want, no matter how many times the 25-year-old has said he’s happy playing in La Liga for Barcelona.

But Jude Bellingham and Ryan Gravenberch are on their radar as well and it’ll be fascinating to see what happens, especially if Ten Hag is given more money to play with.

Sancho did well to score – but Rashford is better on the left. And playing him down the middle instead sees United’s sharpest weapon blunted.

Therefore, it’s clear to see why Ten Hag feels United need a new striker.

In an ideal world, Anthony Martial would have been unleashed. With the France international plagued by injuries this term, however, a third start in a week wasn’t worth the risk.

United did throw on the 27-year-old, along with Wout Weghorst, but both are mere echoes of the brilliant A-listers the club have had leading their attack in previous years.

They want to sign Harry Kane who, while unable to score, was a talismanic presence for Tottenham as they fought from 2-0 down to claim a point.

And Victor Osimhen would represent an upgrade on anything they currently have at their disposal, too.

United are primed to back Ten Hag again this summer as they look to challenge the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal for the Premier League title next season.

As things stand, their squad is way too short to bring that crown back to Old Trafford a whole decade after their last coronation.

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