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Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag has been at the helm of the club for the past eight months. This has enabled the Dutch coach to analyse the strengths and weaknesses throughout his squad.
In his first window, Ten Hag spent around £212 million.
He brought in five time Champions League winner Casemiro, elite midfielder Eriksen, young fullback Tyrell Malacia and backup goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
This, in addition to two of his former Ajax players, with Brazilian winger Antony and Argentinian centre half Lisandro Martinez.
Effect of the signings
These six signings have had varying levels of impact. As expected, Slovakian goalkeeper Dubravka rarely featured, only playing in two Carabao Cup matches. As a result, Newcastle recalled him from his loan.
Dutch fullback Malacia has started his career at United well. After horrendous defeats to Brighton and Brentford, the former Feyenoord fullback instantly rose into the starting eleven. Malacia has failed to hold this down, but has still played in 13 Premier League games so far, and 11 in other competitions. Therefore, he’s provided useful competition with Luke Shaw in his first months at the club.
Danish midfielder Eriksen has been a pivotal addition to Ten Hag’s squad since his arrival in the summer.
The former Tottenham midfielder’s coolness and quality on the ball has been essential in playing the possession based football the Dutch manager desires. Subsequently, Eriksen has already played in 31 games this season.
However, after a horror challenge from Andy Carroll, Eriksen picked up a season defining injury, with the midfielder side-lined till late April at the earliest. Consequently, this forced United’s hand in the January transfer window to sign a midfielder in the remaining days.
Former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro has had the biggest impact on this United side upon his arrival in the summer.
Since Nemanja Matic’s gradual decline, United have been crying out for a natural defensive midfielder to cover the backline and progress the ball forward.
Casemiro has brought exactly this. The Brazilian is an expert in defensive awareness, providing elite experience and quality to pick the ball up off the centre halves and progress it forward.
Furthermore, his world class tackling ability has given United that tenacity and protection which was previously missed.
However, Casemiro earnt a three game suspension after receiving a straight red card due to a bust up against Crystal Palace. In the subsequent game against Leeds United, Ten Hag’s men looked far more vulnerable and lacked the depth to cover Casemiro.
Lisandro Martinez has been excellent since signing from Ajax for around £50m. The big fee for a relatively unproven defender brought up plenty of doubts. This in particular due to being only 5’9.
Sky Sport’s analyst Jamie Carragher was particularly critical of the centre half, suggesting his height just will not work in the physical nature of the Premier League.
However, Martinez has revolutionised the United defence, through his heroic defending, willing to throw himself in front of every ball to prevent a goal.
Such performances have even led to Carragher changing his mind on the former Ajax defender. With Martinez slotting in next to Varane, he’s not given the captain Harry Maguire, nor Swede Victor Lindelof a chance in earning their spots back in the starting eleven. Thus, Martinez has had a phenomenal impact.
Brazilian attacker Antony joined for a huge £80m.
This immediately put major pressure on the winger to perform. In his debut, he conquered this, scoring against Arsenal.
However, Antony has been subject to consistent criticism so far, but in games when he doesn’t play, the missing impact is evident.
Antony has scored seven goals, assisting three times in his 26 games so far. Ultimately, Antony has had a positive impact on the team but not as influential as Martinez and Casemiro.
January signings
After the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract, United were in desperate need for attacking depth. However, with the process of a sale ongoing, the Glazers were unwilling to fund the extra cash needed to sign Cody Gakpo.
As a result, Ten Hag looked for a cheaper, shorter term option.
Wout Weghorst
Consequently, United looked at six foot six Wout Weghorst. The Dutch striker was on loan from Burnley at Besiktas, but was desperate to make the switch to Manchester after United illustrated interest.
The signing of Weghorst is an incredibly clever and efficient signing for Ten Hag’s men. The striker brings height and hold up play which United have lacked in recent seasons. Subsequently, this enables United to have multiple styles of play to provide more variety if teams can disrupt Ten Hag’s main gameplan.
However, doubts remain over the strikers quality as to whether he would be good enough for United. This comes from Weghorst’s largely unsuccessful first season at Burnley.
Despite this, due to the deal being through a cheap loan, it gives United increased flexibility in case the signing doesn’t pay off.
As a result, the signing of Weghorst on loan is a good deal for United, as it provides essential depth and quality which has been lacking since Ronaldo’s departure.
Marcel Sabitzer
After Eriksen picked up a long term injury from Carroll’s bad tackle, United were forced to delve into the transfer window again due to a significant lack of depth in midfield with Donny Van De Beek also injured for the rest of the season.
Subsequently, Ten Hag opted for another loan through the signing of Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich. The Austrian midfielder provides quality on the ball which is missing as a result of Eriksen’s injury, as well as phenomenal workrate which United lacked with the Danish midfielder in the side.
Sabitzer can be used in the Casemiro role particularly with the Brazilian midfielder’s suspension.
However, his best qualities will be exemplified next to a defensive midfielder like Casemiro. Thus, Ten Hag will be eagerly awaiting the former Real Madrid midfielders return.
However, some may question why Bayern Munich would release Sabitzer if he was of United quality.
On the contrary, due to the German sides involvement in the Champions League compared to United in the Europa League, this could be seen as a reason as to why Bayern are happy to let him go.
As with Weghorst, Sabitzer is a cheap loan signing that can be left to return to Bayern if he doesn’t impress Ten Hag.
Thus, the signing of Sabitzer on loan is another strong signing for United, as he provides the necessary quality in midfield needed, through a low risk loan which could be very rewarding for Ten Hag’s side.
Despite the two signings, United needed more.
In midfield, although Sabitzer adds depth, another defensive midfielder was needed.
Casemiro’s signing has levelled up United’s midfield, but when he’s not available, United struggle.
Thus, extra defensive midfield depth was essential. When Casemiro doesn’t play, United lose structure and rhythm. Therefore, United should have looked to have brought in an extra midfielder to prevent this.
However, in recent years, United rarely spend big in January. Thus, particularly after spending £200m in summer, the likelihood the Glazer’s would fund more transfers was incredibly low.
This was further increased by the ongoing sale of the club. As a result, United were limited to loan options, which means that trying to find the right defensive midfielder without significantly spending was incredibly difficult. Despite this, the ill willingness of the owners to give Ten Hag his main priority in Dutch winger Gakpo, hinders the success of this window.
Overview
Ultimately, the signings of Weghorst and Sabitzer on loan are strong additions to the side, ensuring Ten Hag has increased depth to succeed in his first season.
However, the failure to bring in Gakpo and a defensive midfielder, means Ten Hag wasn’t given full backing, and United still lack depth in defensive midfield.
Therefore, United’s January transfer window was successful, but not phenomenal.