Manchester United’s two summer signings prove Erik ten Hag theory right

“In the period I've been here, I've noticed everyone wants to play for Manchester United,” Erik ten Hag said in May, as the club were on the cusp of Champions League qualification.

The Reds suffered their worst Premier League season in 2021/22 but the Dutchman was still able to lure Christian Eriksen, Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez to Old Trafford. United have a pulling power few can boast about, but that is not to say last summer was easy.

Ten Hag, a new manager, had to wait to land Casemiro and only managed to seal Antony’s arrival on deadline day at a cost of £85m. In all, £225m was spent and some are not convinced that, as a collective, the sum was value for money just yet.

However, all permanent summer signings played important roles in the League Cup triumph and ultimately Champions League qualification. Ten Hag had always said that a top-four finish was vital for United and his rebuild project.

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“It's very important for the rebuild of this club that we are in the Champions League,” he added.

"Now it looks like we are in the Champions League, there is even more interest because they know we are in the Champions League and the Premier League at a high level. So, qualification will be important."

That interest has turned into incomings with Mason Mount and Andre Onana both through the door. Both have pedigree in the Champions League.

Mount lifted the trophy in 2021 thanks to Chelsea’s win over Manchester City while Onana came narrowly close in a defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side in this year’s final. But the capture of both players seems