Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Dougie Freedman and one former Premier League midfielder believes four of the Crystal Palace director’s signings would walk into Erik ten Hag’s starting XI these days.
And it’s a rather damning indictment of Manchester United’s own recruitment in recent transfer windows that Danny Murphy’s comments are difficult to disagree with.
While the Red Devils spent around £220 million on Jadon Sancho, Antony and Casemiro, Crystal Palace invested just £45 million in bringing Ebere Eze, Michael Olise and Cheick Doucoure to Selhurst Park.
England international centre-half Marc Guehi, meanwhile, joined in an £18 million deal from Chelsea. And, amid reports suggesting he is another Eagles ace on Man United’s radar, there is certainly an argument to be made that he would represent an upgrade on Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Manchester United eyeing Crystal Palace chief
Dougie Freedman’s keen eye for a bargain is just one of the reasons why, according to The Independent, Ineos appear to have identified the 49-year-old Glaswegian as the man to fix United’s well-publicised recruitment issues.
“You could argue Eze, Olise, Guehi, even Doucoure, all four of them get into United’s team,” argues Murphy, speaking to talkSPORT (6 March, 11am) when Man United’s interest in the Palace sporting director was brought up.
There is a chance, of course, that Guehi and Olise will be the United team next term. Guehi, an athletic, two-footed and highly-technical central defender, is a player incoming technical director Dan Ashworth has admired for a while now.
Olise, meanwhile, is a boyhood Manchester United fan. Hence his non-celebration after scoring that searing free-kick against Erik ten Hag’s side back in January 2023. According to Football London, a man who would likely take the place of Antony on the right wing would choose his beloved United over rival suitors Chelsea should the opportunity present itself.
Dougie Freedman may be Ineos’ next hire
It is not beyond the realms of possibility that United could show an interest in Doucoure too, regardless of whether Freedman joins Ashworth, Omar Berrada, Jean-Claude Blanc and co at Old Trafford.
Casemiro’s future is uncertain, while Sofyan Amrabat is expected to return to Fiorentina. As such, a younger, quicker and more energetic player is required in what has become something of a troublesome ‘number six’ spot at United.