Horror moment sees Man Utd transfer verging on collapse to leave Ten Hag facing immediate call
Man Utd manager-to-be Erik ten Hag could be faced with a quick decision after a report claimed a midfield transfer is poised to collapse.
The Dutchman, 52, looks all set to become the next manager of Manchester United. Various trusted sources including Fabrizio Romano and the BBC’s Simon Stone have confirmed a verbal agreement has been struck.
The official announcement is due to come in the aftermath of the Dutch cup final on Sunday. Both parties do not wish to disrupt Ajax’s attempt to secure a domestic double.
Once Ten Hag takes the reins, attention will quickly turn to the club’s plans in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are expected to be busy on both the arrivals and departures front.
Indeed, the likes of Edinson Cavani, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata will all be free agents. Paul Pogba’s contract is also up, and talk of a lucrative late extension reportedly has the United dressing room up in arms.
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson could also depart with United exploring a return for Sam Johnstone. If the Baggies stopper does sign on a free, Henderson’s time at Old Trafford could be up.
However, according to ESPN, Ten Hag could also be faced with a decision on what to do with Andreas Pereira.
Pereira adds to Ten Hag to-do list
The midfielder, 26, is currently on a season-long loan at Brazilian side Flamengo and had been expected to join permanently in the summer.
However, ESPN now state Flamengo are ‘preparing to abandon’ their plans to activate the £12m option.
Pereira had joined Flamengo in the hopes of reviving a career that never took flight in Manchester. Indeed, loan spells abroad have characterised Pereira’s times on United’s books.
Pereira made a bright start to life at Flamengo but a horror moment in November in the Copa Libertadores final cost his team dear.
After stumbling and under-hitting a back-pass, Palmeiras forward Deyverson pounced and tucked away the winning goal in extra time.
Per ESPN, Pereira’s form has noticeably dipped since that error. As such, Flamengo harbour serious reservations about making his temporary stay permanent.
It’s claimed the likeliest outcome is that Pereira will now return to Old Trafford in the summer. The midfielder has a year left on his current deal after this season, meaning Ten Hag will decide his fate.
Despite United’s midfield being a lightning rod for criticism, it seems unlikely Pereira will break into the starting eleven.
The breakdown of his move to Flamengo would be a shame with ESPN adding Pereira was reportedly prepared to take a substantial pay-cut to make the move work.
Hinting at what Ten Hag and United will do, the article concludes they are hopeful the deal can be resurrected. However, to do so, they may have to accept a significantly reduced fee on the initial £12m they expected to receive.
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