Man Utd throwing issues again to 2004 as Erik ten Hag picks two summer season signings
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag intends on recruiting two strikers on this summer season’s switch window, stories just lately claimed. Harry Kane is being eyed because the membership’s marquee addition, whereas Atalanta teenager Rasus Hojlund can be of their sights. And, ought to a doubled deal happen, then the Red Devils can be signing two strikers in a single switch window for the primary time since 2004.
The Times said earlier within the week that United have been eager on bringing in each Kane and Hojlund as they appear to problem rivals Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Ten Hag apparently sees Kane as the best participant to steer his line, with the England worldwide shining regardless of one more problematic season at Tottenham.
And Hojlund is into consideration, too, with the Red Devils hoping to land one in all Europe’s most-promising younger strikers as properly.
Signing each gamers can be an enormous assertion of intent.
United are clearly crying out for at the very least one new No 9, with the likes of Anthony Martial and Wout Weghorst too inconsistent.
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And there’s a way that, as soon as the Red Devils bolster their assault, they’ll be on a path to greater and higher issues.
Should a double deal materialise, it could additionally see United signal two centre-forwards in a single summer season for the primary time since 2004.
That 12 months, Sir Alex Ferguson was conscious he wanted extra firepower to dethrone Arsenal as Premier League champions.
So he turned to Alan Smith, with the ahead arriving on a free switch from Leeds following their agonising relegation.
Smith angered followers of his previous facet by crossing the divide and swapping white for pink.
Yet he made a optimistic impression immediately at Old Trafford, scoring 10 targets from 42 appearances.
Smith’s profession would by no means be the identical after a critical damage towards Liverpool in 2006 that left him sidelined for seven months.
But he nonetheless can maintain his head up excessive, having gained the Premier League title in 2007.
Speaking final 12 months, Smith revealed he was nonetheless struggling over 17 years on. He stated: “I couldn’t compete at a level I felt I could easily before. I get out of bed and can’t walk properly, my ankle is stiff all the time.
“I went for a run in the summer and managed to do a couple of miles but stopped and started walking because my ankle was hurting.
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“I went back last month and the surgeon said, ‘I don’t want you doing any straight-line running’, just because it will damage the joint.
“It is always difficult to walk away but when you see someone and they don’t want you running, you know it is the right decision.
“I have no regrets. For me, I see retiring early being the easy option.”
Not content with signing Smith, however, Ferguson also brought Wayne Rooney to the club.
The striker, who is now regarded as a Red Devils legend, was hot property in 2004 after shining for England at the European Championships.
And he moved to United in a £30million deal.
Rooney would become a hero during his time at Old Trafford, helping the club win five Premier League titles as well as the Champions League under Ferguson.
And he also stayed to play under bosses such as David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho as well.
Rooney left United in 2017 after propelling them to an EFL Cup and Europa League double that year.
He’s got dreams of managing the club but, for now, is currently in the MLS with DC United.