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<\/p>\nErik ten Hag will have hoped to bridge the gap between Manchester United and Manchester City in his second season as manager. But despite splashing another \u00a3179million on three new signings, United have ultimately fallen short of his transfer hopes amid an unconvincing start to the campaign.<\/p>\n
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Ten Hag reportedly wanted a second midfielder and forward after recruiting Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund earlier in the summer.<\/p>\n
But with Friday’s deadline looming, United’s business looks set to be concluded after the arrival of Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir and a short-term left-back to cover for the injured Luke Shaw.<\/p>\n
Ten Hag may not feel as backed as he would’ve hoped after guiding the Red Devils to a successful first season under his reign – lifting the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League with a third-place Premier League finish.<\/p>\n
And the current vibe among United supporters feels like a stark contrast from the highs of ending the club’s six-year trophy drought in February when they were the final English outfit still with a chance of winning four competitions.<\/p>\n
Amidst the hype, former United and England defender Paul Parker jokingly claimed Ten Hag would have to quit his role at Old Trafford if he won a sensational quadruple in his first year on British shores.<\/p>\n
He told indiabetting: “It would be a massive achievement if Man United manage to win a quadruple this season, but it still wouldn’t be the ultimate as it isn’t the Champions League but only the Europa League.<\/p>\n
READ MORE <\/strong> Man Utd injury crisis mounts as Erik ten Hag ‘learns’ Raphael Varane layoff[NEWS] <\/strong><\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n “But it would be really incredible, and honestly, if it is going to happen, Erik ten Hag needs to resign after that and not carry on because he will never be able to surpass that.<\/p>\n “I have not heard a single Man United fan speak about this as a possibility, but we can’t ignore that it, in theory, is a possibility.<\/p>\n “But one thing is theory, and another thing is being realistic, and I don’t think that it is possible. But I think it’s silly that it hasn’t been mentioned by a single person or any media.”<\/p>\n While that suggestion was far-fetched, Ten Hag would have hoped he was much closer to overthrowing Man City’s reign of dominance seven months on.<\/p>\n DON’T MISS <\/strong> But United were dumped out of the Europa League quarter-finals by Sevilla and lost the FA Cup final by City, who went on to match the club’s historic 1999 achievements by winning the treble.<\/p>\n And while Ten Hag craves midfield reinforcements to fix a primary source of United’s early-season issues, City look like the club with more ambition.<\/p>\n After splashing over \u00a3150m on Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, and Jeremy Doku, City are now pushing to sign Wolves’ Matheus Nunes.<\/p>\n The Premier League champions have already had seen a \u00a347m bid rebuffed by Wolves, who value Nunes at \u00a360m.<\/p>\n But another offer is expected, and watching Pep Guardiola acquire a second top-level midfielder while he is left short will only add to Ten Hag’s frustrations.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/Erik-ten-Hag-wants-a-second-midfielder-this-summer-4933386.jpg?r=1693338775915\")
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Carabao Cup third round draw, dates and info as Man Utd and Arsenal enter pot[DRAW] <\/strong>
Man Utd may be forced into second emergency deal as Ten Hag ‘waits on scans'[TRANSFERS] <\/strong>
Man Utd and Denmark have ‘agreement’ as Rasmus Hojlund set for debut vs Arsenal[NEWS] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/67\/590x\/secondary\/Man-City-are-closing-in-on-Matheus-Nunes-4933390.jpg?r=1693338776137\")
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