Erik ten Hag set to copy Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola tactic to transform Man Utd next season

Erik ten Hag is set to copy Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola by making a key signing that could transform the club’s fortunes.

This week, United crashed out of the Europa League after a pitiful 3-0 defeat to Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.

In the first leg United threw away a 2-0 lead to draw courtesy of two own goals, however, Ten Hag’s men stooped to new lows in the reverse fixture.

On Thursday a mix-up between Harry Maguire and David De Gea led to Sevilla's seventh-minute opener. The Spanish side then doubled the lead through a Loic Bade header before United’s humbling was compounded by a De Gea howler which gifted Youssef En-Nesyri his second of the night and Sevilla's third.

And according to the Mirror De Gea’s calamitous display in Spain has raised doubts among the United hierarchy about the wisdom of extending his contract.

De Gea to leave?

The Mirror claimed that as many as 12 senior players are set to be axed this summer, as Ten Hag begins the second phase of his United rebuild.

Indeed, the injury-prone Anthony Martial has been tipped to depart alongside Maguire and De Gea.

And while Maguire and Martial were thought to be on the outgoings list before Thursday’s embarrassment against Sevilla, De Gea’s error-strewn display raised questions about the Spaniard's suitability as United’s number one.

Ten Hag wants a goalkeeper capable of playing the ball out from the back, which is a glaring weakness in De Gea’s game.

The 32-year-old is out of contract this summer though United are currently in talks with him over a new deal on greatly reduced terms.

Ten Hag learns from Klopp and Guardiola

The Mirror added that Ten Hag was “aware” of how Manchester City and Liverpool were transformed by the acquisitions of new goalkeepers and believes United need to make a similar signing to challenge for the title.

Upon arriving at City, Guardiola ruthlessly sold long-term number one Joe Hart, ultimately replacing the former England international with Ederson, who is perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world with his feet.

Meanwhile, Klopp forked out some £66.8million to sign Alisson Becker from Roma in 2018, with the goalkeeper’s ball-playing ability and general shot-stopping excellence having helped transform Liverpool into title contenders.

Topics: Football, Manchester United, David De Gea, Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Transfers, Manchester City, Liverpool

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.