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Jul 04, 2023

Manchester United primed to underline Bukayo Saka fear by repeating Arsenal's Premier League trick

Erik ten Hag is set to confirm the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund as Man United's third summer signing Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox We have

Erik ten Hag is set to confirm the arrival of Rasmus Hojlund as Man United's third summer signing

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Pre-season friendly results don't count for much and while United won just once on their US tour, that victory over Premier League rivals Arsenal did signal the Reds' ambitions and capabilities of overhauling the Gunners this season.

Nine points separated the sides last term as the closest challengers to Treble winners Manchester City. United are entering their second season under Erik ten Hag and, like Arsenal 12 months ago, look to have settled principles, players and plans.

United's clear and decisive transfer strategy has left the Reds well-placed to push on in 2023-24. Rasmus Hojlund will be the third summer arrival, with Ten Hag having got his wish of a new striker before the start of the season. Together with a new first-choice goalkeeper in the shape of Andre Onana and the addition of Mason Mount, United have secured three crucial signings in positions that needed addressing.

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It’s a show of faith in Ten Hag, who steered his side to third place in the Premier League in his first campaign at Old Trafford as well as a pair of domestic finals with victory in the Carabao Cup over Newcastle United and a derby defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup.

The next challenge for Ten Hag is to close the gap to their city rivals in the league as they chase a first title since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson. There’s a feeling that United are well placed to improve on last term and to do so they’ll need to prove they can compete with the best the Premier League has to offer.

That includes Arsenal, who challenged City for large parts of last term before ultimately falling short. Gunners boss Arteta has spent heavily again this summer, following a significant outlay 12 months ago.

Last summer Arsenal secured Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, ready-made talent at either end of the pitch. United have acted similarly this summer with Onana and Mount, while Hojlund will arrive bursting with potential and ability.

There are parallels between the two clubs. Last season saw Arteta start a campaign with what felt like ‘his’ side. Ten Hag will have similar feelings this time around with potentially seven of his opening-day starters signed under his watch.

Ten Hag, like Arteta, is being afforded the time and money to implement a vision. The Dutchman will hope it can help United leapfrog the Gunners and push on in pursuit of City. The Reds beat Arseal in a summer friendly after which Gunners star Bukayo Saka accepted how strong a side Ten Hag has put together.

"You can’t really give two goals away like that against a team like this because then it’s really hard to come back. We just need to learn from it," said the England international.

Arsenal have strengthened further this summer but United are moulding into what Ten Hag wants, and that bodes well for the season ahead.

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The transfer window is in full swing and United have got their hands on three players well in advance of the September 1 deadline, with Rasmus Hojlund joining Mason Mount and Andre Onana at Old Trafford.

A goalkeeper, a midfielder and a striker were Erik ten Hag's priorities heading into the summer window, but that doesn't mean their business ends here, with a move for Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat also on the cards, as well as plenty of possible departures.

Our team of United experts will be on top of all the goings-on at United for the remainder of the summer window and beyond, and you can get the latest updates and inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community below.

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