Erik ten Hag’s side have turned around a poor start to the Premier League season with back-to-back wins against Liverpool and Southampton. They now sit in eighth place in the table and are facing Brendan Rogers’ side, who are at the bottom of the league after four games. With no summer signings coming into the club, The Foxes have begun the campaign in a poor spot. They are winless in four, but will be attempting to kickstart their season against United. Ten Hag could introduce his latest signing to the fold, with Casemiro eager to impress after making his debut from the bench in the 1-0 win against Southampton on Saturday. There could also be another new face in the squad. The Reds are closing in on a transfer for Antony from Ajax after a long summer of chasing the Brazilian. He could be involved in the squad if he is registered and signed in time.
After finding some much needed momentum, United will be keen to carry it on against this timid Leicester side. The Reds are approaching the transfer window closure and Erik ten Hag is still looking for more signings. Whilst an agreement in principle has been made for the signing of Antony from Ajax, they still need to complete that deal. Reports also say that Ten Hag is keen to get a back-up goalkeeper into the squad. Mark Dubravka is closing in on a move. It has also been revealed that United are keeping tabs on strikers in case Cristiano Ronaldo exits the club before the window shuts. This all seems to set up a busy deadline day for United and Ten Hag. The window will shut on Thursday (Sep 1) at 23:00 BST. United are not shy to doing late business in windows, especially of late, with five of the 12 coming in the last two years. However, many of these signings cannot be considered successes, with just two being top players at the club.
Of course, Ronaldo is the latest signing to (re)join United on deadline day. He scored 18 goals in his first season back with the club. Despite the strong numbers, his transfer fiasco this summer has made it near impossible to call the signing an overwhelming success, especially considering his goals came in one of United’s worst Premier League campaigns ever.Before him came three signings in the same day in the 2020 summer window. Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani and Amad Diallo were all brought to Old Trafford on that deadline day. Telles was sent on loan this campaign, while United signing young talent Antony shows that Amad has yet to make any significant impact at the club. Cavani had a positive first season with the Reds, but his second campaign ruined his time with the club before he left on a free transfer a couple of months ago.
Another striker was signed the season prior to this. Odion Ighalo was added to the squad on the January deadline day in 2020 as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looked to strengthen his depth upfront with the loan deal. The Nigerian had some positive moments in red, but his large salary, which United covered, made it a move that made little sense. Anthony Martial was another signing made on deadline day in 2015 under Louis van Gaal. He made an instant impact against Liverpool on his debut. Martial is the closest on this list to being a success, with an FA Cup, Europa League and Carabao Cup trophy under his belt as a United player. But, you can only think about what could’ve been with the French star, as he was rated as one of the best youngsters in Europe at the time of his move.
The other deadline day signings include the likes of Daley Blind, Radamel Falcao and Marouane Fellaini. The latter was a useful tool during his time with United, but never imposed himself as a top player during the difficult period at the club. Although he did score some important goals in his time. Blind was a very useful player under Van Gaal, but was not the defender that Mourinho fancied. Meanwhile, Falcao never returned to the player he once was at Atletico Madrid following his knee injury the season before joining United. His failure at the club was heartbreak for many supporters who adored the forward. Two youngsters were also signed on deadline day at the club in Regen Poole and Saidy Janko, however, neither made it through to the first team at the club.
Manchester United will travel to the King Power Stadium on Thursday evening to taken on Leicester City in the Premier League. The Red Devils come into the game on the back of two consecutive wins. Erik ten Hag’s side beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ second half goal. United supporters saw a glimpse of new signing Casemiro at St Mary’s, the Brazilian played the last 10 minutes of the game. As for Leicester, the 2015-16 champions sit bottom of the table after their opening four league games and remain winless. The Foxes fell to a 2-1 defeat to 10-men Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Ajax winger, Antony, is expected to arrive in Manchester today ahead of having a medical. The Brazil international is close to finalising his £85.4m move to Manchester United.
However, Antony has to be registered by midday on Wednesday to be available for United’s Premier League game at Leicester City on Thursday. It is thought to be unlikely as Antony has to sort a visa and work permit. The 22-year-old should be ready in time for the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday. Erik ten Hag’s men will be chasing a third consecutive win when they take on the Foxes, after starting the campaign with two straight defeats. He does have the chance to revive his career at the club under Erik ten Hag and if he can keep injuries to a minimum, it seems clear that he will have a positive impact under the Dutchman.
