What If United Had Signed Brobbey? The Surprise Twist in Ten Hag’s Transfer Pursuits

Manchester United's transfer dealings under Erik ten Hag have been the subject of scrutiny since his departure in October 2024. Speculation arose around the potential signing of Ajax striker Brian Brobbey, whom Ten Hag reportedly wanted to acquire for £34 million. However, the current valuation of the 23-year-old is a mere £8.5 million, prompting questions about whether United dodged a bullet by not pursuing the striker.

According to Dutch journalist Valentijn Driessen, Ten Hag's desire to secure Brobbey as his fourth signing from the Eredivisie was based on their successful relationship at Ajax, where Brobbey shone during a loan spell. His permanent return to Ajax in 2022 was sealed after he rejected a move to United despite a personal call from Ten Hag.

Brobbey’s career trajectory has since taken a downturn; he started strong but has only managed to score four goals in the current season, raising concerns about his form and overall impact on the team. Ten Hag's tenure at United ended amidst a string of disappointing results, leaving many to question the wisdom behind his focus on players from the Netherlands.

During Ten Hag's time at the helm, Manchester United spent over £600 million on numerous signings, but critics suggest that his strategy may have inadvertently set the club back. The case of opting out of Brobbey's signing appears to epitomise this dilemma; as he now struggles to find his footing, United's management can be relieved they avoided overcommitting on a player whose performance has stagnated.

Interestingly, former Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has expressed belief in Brobbey’s potential to rejuvenate his career if he makes a move abroad. He suggested that a shift to a club like Brighton & Hove Albion could reignite Brobbey’s aspirations and allow him to fulfil his talent away from the spotlight of his home country.

Meanwhile, another striker, Rasmus Hojlund, whom United signed for £70 million the prior summer, now faces similar scrutiny over his goal-scoring capabilities. With only nine goals this season, comparisons between him and Brobbey aggravate the narrative surrounding United’s striker acquisitions, leaving fans to ponder the efficacy of their current squad. As United continues to languish in the bottom half of the Premier League, the implications of their transfer decisions loom larger.

In retrospect, the narrative of Brobbey's potential signing was not just about the player, but reflects the broader challenges the club has faced under Ten Hag. With contrasting fortunes evident, supporters are left pondering what might have been. Would Brobbey's presence have truly altered United's trajectory? Or has the club simply emerged wiser from a missed opportunity?

This episode serves as a critical reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football; performances can fluctuate, and valuations can drop, leading to both missed opportunities and fortunate escapes. Manchester United's path forward seems to depend significantly on better strategic planning, and the story of Brian Brobbey may just be a chapter in a much larger narrative of rebuilding.

• Brian Brobbey
• Erik ten Hag
• Manchester United