Erik ten Hag spent over half a billion - and somehow Wout Weghorst still made the team!
I feel like it's time to take a look at those left behind by our former Dutch manager and check whether they were actually worth it or not.
Some might find my ratings and ranking controversial but hey, we're not here to agree on everything 🤷♂️.
But I'm always right 🤣.
This isn't only going to be players that he bought. It's going to involve those that he brought through from the academy as well like Garnacho and Mainoo.
The reason I wanted to do this is because I feel like a lot of the players we want to let go off were those that were bought or brought into the first team by Erik ten Hag.
The weird thing is, is that I thought when these players came in, they were actually good signings. The deals themselves for a lot of them, not so much, but the player, their attributes and how they fitted into the team were kinda perfect.
What happened since however...
ten Hag got over €100m from LFC for Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz after becoming the new Bayer Leverkusen boss yet has not showed much of an interest in any of the players he was so desperate for whilst at United.
What does that tell us?
So without further ado,
The ranking and rating:
18. Mason Mount
He is right up there with one of the worst deals we've ever done.
Signed from Chelsea for £60m, ten Hag saw this guy as some sort of messiah for his team so much so that he said “I want you to be a very important player for this team” upon Mount's signing and gave him the famous no 7 shirt, which in itself is a big statement.
This deal seem more of a waste than most for the simple fact that in two years, Mount has been injured for most of it. He's picked up four injuries missing 50 games and 261 days.
When he has managed to stay fit, I haven't seen anything from him to suggest he's the guy. Other than that cameo against Athletic Club in the second leg of our Europa League semi final last season in which he scored 2 goals including that one from just inside his own half, the player we signed from Chelsea is nowhere to be found.
Where I will give him credit is that he does seem to be the ultimate professional, does try his best and everyone speaks so highly off him (I call him Amorim's adopted son because the manager talks about him in such glowing light whenever he gets the chance) but that isn't enough for a United player on £250k-a-week.
Mount does weirdly fit the bill of what's needed as one of the no 10s in Amorim's system but due to injuries and poor form, I would give his time so far a 3/10. If there was a possibility to sell him, I would.
17. Antony
The Brazilian was a player I was excited by. Having seen what he did at Ajax under ten Hag, he looked like the exact type of player we needed: a bit of a maverick.
Yet we only saw glimpses of this maverick at United. That spin was one of those.
At £85m and his poor performances, Antony will go down as one of the worst deals in recent history.
I will give him credit and say that at least he tried every time he stepped onto the pitch, which isn't something we can say for a lot of players, but the fact that I have to champion this at all is a problem, but is a realistic sign of where we are as a club.
With all that being said, he might have found his level in La Liga as his loan spell at Real Betis was the best out of all those deals we did this past January. The Spanish side would like to sign him but due to a high asking price (£40m) and his high wage (€5m net a season), they cannot afford him.
His time at United would be a 3.5/10. He is another who needs to leave.
16. Andre Onana
ten Hag's former Ajax GK is not in everyone's good books at the moment. He didn't necessarily do anything wrong, but he kinda did, by being shite.
He is another player that we bought due to how good he was at his previous club only to lose all footballing ability whilst at United. His performance in the Champions League final against City was breathtaking and was everything you wanted from a modern goalkeeper.
However, not only did Onana not display this level of quality on the ball, his all round goalkeeping has been atrocious inour famous red shirt.
Inability to push shots out of danger, not commanding his box, staying on his line too often, butter fingers, weak wrists, and utterly poor distribution has caused us to want this guy gone.
Oh, and not to mention the countless cockups. These by the Cameroonian almost singlehandedly knocked us out of the Champions League in 23/24.
He has never really recovered and at £47m, he has been a failure. A rating of 4/10 for me. He does need to go and a replacement needs to come in asap. GK is a position that is a top priority now because of him.
15. Tyrell Malacia
This guy was signed from Feyenoord for £13m as a backup to Luke Shaw. He performed exactly as we thought he would: steadily.
I don't think there was any point where any one of us thought that he would break into the first team but the fact that he somehow managed to be more injury prone than Shaw in his second season (bro should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for that) by being injured the ENTIRE campaign meant that we never got the opportunity to truly see what he's all about.
Malacia was back fit last season and played his first match at the end of November last year .His previous game before that was in May2023!
Good lord!
He then went on loan to PSV and I don't even know how well he did. Clearly not well enough as the Dutch side don't want to buy him.
Malacia's time at United gets a 4/10 from me, and most of it is down to his first season. He 100% has to be sold. Simply not good enough.
14. Rasmus Hojlund
The Dane is a player with similar issues to Onana. At a ridiculously high fee of £72m from Atalanta, it was seen as a HUGE risk given his young age of 20 and being an up-and-comer.
He didn't do too badly in his first season scoring and assisting on 18 occasions which showed his potential but it was last season in which we saw how we cannot rely on him.
It's harsh to be too hard on him because he is young and he has no mentor nor does he have a team who create too many chances for him but his overall game dropped to a pathetically poor level in 24/25.
Almost all that he was good at had disappeared from his game and he has become a disappointment from the potential we saw in his first season.
Hojlund for me has to be a 4.5/10. Slightly better than Onana because of age and lack of mentors but we do need a new no 9 because of him and if we sold him, I wouldn't be too upset but I would rather we keep him and bring in a new striker.
13. Casemiro
I was never a big fan of his. I always found him quite dirty whilst at Real Madrid and not a player whom I thought could play ball IYKWIM.
More of a destroyer than anything, Casemiro came into United's side and kind of shocked the world. Perhaps he may have even shocked himself with his performances. Despite an elustrious career at Madrid, Casemiro recently came out and said that his best season as a footballer was his first at United 😳.
That £70m for the then 30 year old seemed to be good value for man.
However, since that first campaign, Casemiro had taken a complete 180 as he became, well, shite.
He was almost unrecognizable both as a footballer and an athlete. You've all seen those memes about his fitness.
There was a resurgence from February onwards last season but between his first season and then, diabolical.
The fact that he's also on £350k-a-week and played like he did was unacceptable. Due to all this, I would give him a generous 5/10. I do believe he needs to be moved on more than kept (especially because of the wage) but it doesn't appear like that will be the case.
12. Altay Bayindir
This goalkeeper became the first Turkish player to play for United, not that he played much under ten Hag and only played for Amorim because Onana had to go to the AFCON, but he is the first Turk to wear United's shirt.
Other than that performance against Arsenal, he hasn't been the best backup goalkeeper. We had David de Gea and Sergio Romero at one point. That is how you do a no 1 and no 2 between the sticks.
Bayindir is a 5/10 because I don't know what else to give him. He does need to go.
11. Alejandro Garnacho
The star boy is the most disappointing player of all.
Everyone knew of his talent and when he came through in 23/24, we all saw that talent come to fruition.
Standout performances, reliability and a Puskas award-winning goal led us to believe we have a potential Ballon d'Or winner in years to come.
He may have been inconsistent but through those inconsistencies we could see the quality he had.
But then, the attitude.
Countless acts of immaturity and childishness has now put us on a path of no coming back for Garnacho at United. He disrespected the manager, club and more importantly fans, especially those who backed him to the hilts. Putting that Villa shirt on all but killed his career at United.
As a footballer, I did find him frustrating particularly his selfishness but there was no doubting his ability. However due to his poor mindset, I'm going to have to score him a 5/10. He HAS to go. We cannot bring him back otherwise the club will show they have no power.
10. Toby Collyer
This youngster is the last to truly come through under ten Hag. Whenever he's played, he has been decent and showcased that he can be a top player for the future, but irregular game time thanks to injuries has seen his career somewhat stagnate over the past year.
Hopefully we can see more of him this season.
I would give him a 5/10 which isn't necessarily his fault but he does have to sort out his injury issues. I would keep him as a backup who can learn from the likes of Casemiro and Bruno.
9. Christian Eriksen
The former Inter man walked through the door after Malacia and is a player that no one dislikes.
I was happy at this move because I have been a fan of his since his Spurs days. The fact that he came on a free as well made it better even at 30 years of age.
That first season and partnership he had with Casemiro was unbelievable,
until Andy Carroll decided to end his time prematurely. That tackle is still horrendous and dangerous even when looking at it a couple years later.
While Eriksen stayed at United for another 2 years thereafter, he was never the same player. That was unfortunate because we saw how much we missed him whenever he was absent before that injury.
I'm glad he at least won a couple trophies with us before leaving on a free this window, which needed to happen. I would rate his time a 5.5/10.
8. Joshua Zirkzee
He was not a player that I knew much about but was spoken of with high amounts of talent. back in Italy.
While he is no traditional striker, his false 9-ness brings a different dynamic to this side. Admittedly though, I found it difficult to see where he would fit into ten Hag's 4-2-3-1 system as Zirkzee would like to drop deep however, that would mean he would get in that way of Bruno Fernandes.
An odd deal for £36.5m and is another who's had his moments but nothing consistent.
A 5.5/10 for JZ. He is still young-ish at 24 and has only been here a year. We should keep him as I think he can be useful in Amorim's 3-4-2-1.
7. Kobbie Mainoo
The other star boy was the other youngster that ten Hag brought through and for me, who he is is much better than that of Garnacho. I like the way he carries himself and that he seems to have his head screwed on correctly.
Even under Amorim where Mainoo hasn't played as much, there was no issues and no examples of a lack of professionalism.
Pair this with a good footballing ability and you have almost the ideal player.
It's just a pity that things haven't gone so well in the last season as they did in his first in 23/24. It's also difficult to see where he fits into Amorim's system but as he has something that I don't think many in our team has - composure and quick feet - you do have to find a way for him to get into the side.
I would give him a 6/10 so far and is a player that I would keep.
6. Jonny Evans
ARed from back in the day, this player embodied who we are as Man Utd. He was there during the Sir Alex days and knows what it truly means to play for Man Utd. It's unfortunate that he was so old and injury prone otherwise he would've been perfect for what we needed.
Some of his performances when he did play were top notch as well.
Now that he has retired and taken up the role of Head of Loans and Pathways, it was the right call. A solid 6.5/10. Good when he played but not a player for the long-term and did pick up his injuries.
5. Manuel Ugarte
Not the most exciting of players, he was the last of the ten Hag-era signings and was a midfielder that I thought we needed. He ticked all the boxes of what was required in that he was an old school destroyer, kind of like Casemiro.
He might have been a slow burner and a bit average at times, but overall, he's been really good. I think once he got into the swing of things around the turn of the year until Amorim stupidly dropped him, Ugarte was what we were lacking.
The Uruguayan is another like Mazraoui and De Ligt who gets a bit mistreated in that he isn't praised as much as he should be.
I would rate him a 6.5/10. Not amazing but better than he gets credit for. Not for sale for me.
4. Leny Yoro
The Frenchman was a top buy, ngl. Even if he was bought for more than £60m as an 18 year old, I didn't mind that because he of his qualities. The fact that Real Madrid desperately wanted him tells you how good he is.
His only issues so far has been injuries. If he can stay injury free, Yoro will be an unbelievable player for us.
I would give him a 6.5/10 and is an absolute keep.
3. Lisandro Martinez
One of the fan favorites became Erik ten Hag's third signing and that is a player who has one of the best nicknames in football: The Butcher, Lisandro Matinez.
His price of £57m was a bit too much but we all quickly fell in love with this Argentinian. When he pushed Mo Salah out of the way with his chest, that was the moment we all knew, we had a player.
Despite his lack of height as a centre-back, Martinez more than made up for it by ticking pretty much every other box as a defender in the modern game. I believe Ruben Amorim sees him as key to how he wants his team to build up from the back as well.
The way he carries himself and conducts his business is also something to admire.
However, his biggest issues has been injuries.
After picking up a metatarsal fracture at the end of 22/23, he has never really been the same. Further issues in 23/24 disrupted a campaign that was seen as pivotal in the then 25 year old's time at the club, as second season's are for new signings.
While he managed to be fit for most of last season, a torn ACL in February put him on the side lines again and will keep him out until September.
That is four major injuries in three seasons. Not a good thing for a 27 year old whom many see as key to our side. The problem with these injuries is that they seem fairly innocuous as well.
If he can stay fit this season, he will be a major boost for the team. If not, then I do think we'll need to say adios amigo.
Other than those injuries, I can't really fault Martinez. 7/10 but could be higher if not for those injuries.
2. Matthijs De Ligt
Erik ten Hag's former Ajax captain is such an amazing player and often gets overlooked. He was given little praise upon being signed yet has proved (to me at least) to be one of our best players.
While he does have niggling injuries, he is regularly available. He also has leadership qualities, is a top defender, is experienced, a winner and is only 25 years old. De Ligt also cost just £35m.
He ticks all of the boxes and overall, has been an 8/10. We definitely shouldn't be looking to sell him.
1. Noussair Mazraoui
Mr consistent, the ultimate professional, is super versatile, gives everything he has every game, and has that experience, leadership and winner mentality like De Ligt.
The Moroccan is also not injury prone. That isn't something you see with a lot of players nowadays.
The best part about him is that he was signed for just £12m! All of that for that price is an absolute steal.
Mazraoui is the best deal we've done under Erik ten Hag and one of the best we've done under the Glazers.
If we could have more players like Mazraoui and De Ligt, we would be sorted.
I would rate him an 8.5/10 and a categoric NO when it comes to selling him.
Full Ranking:
18. Mason Mount - 3/10 (one of the worst deals ever. Would sell if possible)
17. Antony - 3.5/10 (has to be sold)
16. Andre Onana - 4/10 (needs to be replaced)
15. Tyrell Malacia - 4/10 (needs to go)
14. Rasmus Hojlund - 4.5/10 (can be sold or kept but new striker is 100% needed)
13. Casemiro - 5/10 (keep for one more year)
12. Altay Bayindir - 5/10 (not a good enough backup GK. Tells you all you need to know)
11. Alejandro Garnacho - 5/10 (top player. Poor attitude. HAS to go)
10. Toby Collyer - 5/10 (lets see what happens this season)
9. Christian Eriksen - 5.5/10 (right decision to not extend deal)
8. Joshua Zirkzee - 5.5/10 (keep for at least one more year)
7. Kobbie Mainoo - 6/10 (keep)
6. Jonny Evans - 6.5/10 (decent but right to retire)
5. Manuel Ugarte - 6.5/10 (slow burner but grew into it)
4. Leny Yoro - 6.5/10 (keep but needs to stay injury free)
3. Lisandro Martinez - 7/10 (keep but if injuries persist...)
2. Matthijs De Ligt - 8/10 (we need more players like him)
1. Noussair Mazraoui - 8.5/10 (Mr consistent. Perfect player and character needed for our club)
Out of these 18 players, I would say about 7 absolutely needed/needs to go, there's a few that we need to monitor and 4 can stay.
How many have been successes? 4. For me, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez and Yoro are the only ones I would say have been successes even though three of them have been here just a year. While Zirkzee and Ugarte haven't been bad, it's still too early to tell. Mazraoui and De Ligt are successful because they have that experience at this level and have done it all, and thate talent Yoro has is next level. He was also highly invested in and is only 19 so there is much developing to do.
But out of 18 players brought through by the ten Hag, just 4 in my opinion, have been successes.
That is an awful record yet I felt like a lot of them were good players. The deals themselves may not have been but the player's, not too bad.
So, what do you think? Agree with my ratings and rankings? And does this prove that Erik ten Hag and United recruited poorly?
Interesting though, isn't it?
Andre Onana, Casemiro, Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho | Images via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)
Erik ten Hag's signings ranked | Erik ten Hag: Creator: Matt McNulty | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2023 Getty Images via Man Utd News