Why Erik ten Hag blocked Man Utd from signing Chelsea and Arsenal target Ivan Toney

Manchester United considered signing Ivan Toney during the summertime transportation model earlier ‘ruling out’ a woody owed to Erik 10 Hag’s concerns, according to reports.

Ten Hag made it wide towards the extremity of past play that helium wanted to bolster his attacking options implicit the summer, with United gathering his request by signing his compatriot Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna successful July.

The Manchester giants were linked with a determination for England planetary Toney earlier and aft Zirkzee’s accomplishment astatine Old Trafford but ended up pulling retired of the race.

Toney besides attracted involvement from Chelsea and Arsenal implicit the summer but ended up moving to the Saudi Pro League aft Brentford accepted a £40m bid from Al Ahli.

The 28-year-old, who made a constricted but important publication for England during their run to the Euro 2024 final, opened his relationship for Al Ahli implicit the weekend, scoring doubly successful a 4-2 triumph implicit Damac.

But if it had not been for Ten Hag’s reservations, Toney could inactive beryllium a Premier League subordinate and featuring for Manchester United.

ESPN say United were funny successful bringing Toney to Old Trafford but ‘ruled out’ a woody arsenic Ten Hag, portion impressed by the striker’s goalscoring ability, was acrophobic implicit his quality to property opponents with the vigor helium wants from his forwards.

Brentford brag Thomas Frank had hoped to support Toney astatine the nine but became progressively resigned to his departure arsenic helium entered the last 12 months of his declaration successful westbound London.

Following Toney’s determination to Saudi Arabia – successful a staggering woody worthy astir £400,000-a-week – Frank said: ‘It’s been a pleasance to enactment with Ivan implicit the past 4 years.

‘He has averaged much than 1 extremity each 2 games, which is an unbelievable number. He has been a fantastic goalscorer, link-up subordinate and leader.

‘He has pushed the team, the squad and himself. Ivan leaves arsenic a Brentford legend.’

Toney, meanwhile, said aft his affectional departure from Brentford: ‘Where bash I adjacent begin? It’s hard to find the close words to explicit what Brentford means to me.

‘From the infinitesimal I archetypal stepped onto the transportation wearing the shirt, I knew I was portion of thing special.

‘My archetypal and astir important outcry retired is to “The Bees” simply the champion and astir unthinkable fans successful the world. Together, we’ve shared unforgettable moments – highs, lows, challenges, and triumphs that volition enactment with maine forever.

‘The emotion and enactment you’ve shown maine done heavy and bladed is thing I volition retrieve for the remainder of my life.

‘As I hole to statesman this caller journey, I privation to convey each and each 1 of you for your unconditional support.

‘To my teammates, the manager, the backroom staff, the owners, and again, a peculiar notation to The Bees – convey you. As I ever accidental – spot you soon, it’s ne'er a goodbye. Ivan.’

Manchester United person struggled successful beforehand of extremity this play – uncovering the backmost of the nett 5 times successful 5 games. Zirkzee has 1 goal, which helium scored connected the opening day, and Rasmus Hojlund is inactive retired injured.

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