Louis van Gaal advice can help Erik ten Hag transform Manchester United's transfer policy

Erik ten Hag may well be getting a clear indication of just how big a job he faces at Manchester United during the early stages of this summer’s transfer window.

Manchester City have already got their marquee signing, and Liverpool look to be on the verge of their own. Meanwhile, United’s attempts to bring Frenkie de Jong to Old Trafford are threatening to peter out. As reported by the Manchester Evening News, United have opened talks with the Catalan giants as they try and seal a move for the 25-year-old this summer. As things stand at the moment though, the two clubs are some way apart in their valuation of the Dutch midfielder.

Should United continue to be left frustrated, they are willing to move on to other targets, and have stayed in touch with potential alternative options. Yet that could see them falling into an all-too familiar trap.

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De Jong is clearly Ten Hag’s first choice when it comes to midfield signings, and forcing him to change tack could mean the new manager having to rip up his original plans for next season before it's started. Given the size of the task at hand, you don’t want to be adding more work to his pile.

On one hand, you can understand United’s thinking. If Barcelona — who have indicated at various points how desperate they are to bring in some cash by selling players — are playing hardball over De Jong, then on paper it would perhaps make sense to explore other options.

Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way, and clubs can often find themselves shelling out more than they want to on the players they’ve eyed up as cheaper alternatives. Louis van Gaal can tell you as much.

The former United