Erik ten Hag is ‘prioritising signing a central midfielder during the summer’

Erik ten Hag will prioritise signing a central midfielder during the summer transfer window as he looks to replace outgoing Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

The United boss will also make Darwin Nunez one of his primary targets as the 22-year-old is widely expected to leave Benfica when the transfer window opens. 

Both United and Liverpool will battle it out for the striker – who has had a £68million price tag added to his name after an impressive season in the Primeira Liga. 

He is looking to fill the void left by outgoing Paul Pogba (left) and Nemanja Matic (right) 

According to Utdreport, Ten Hag will make signing a central midfielder a priority as he is looking to fill the void left by outgoing Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic. 

However, Ten Hag is also interested in signing Nunez after his impressive performance in the Primeira Liga.

Nunez is one of the most sought-after young strikers in world football following a stunning season in which he has scored 34 goals in 41 appearances. 

United have been strongly linked with Nunez in recent months with their new manager Ten Hag believed to be a big fan of the Benfica star. 

Ten Hag was impressed with the youngster’s performances in the Champions League – scoring goals in both quarter-final legs against Liverpool, a brace against Barcelona and also finding the back of the net against Barcelona and Ajax.

The new Manchester United manager will also make Darwin Nunez one of his primary target

The 22-year-old is widely expected to leave Benfica when the transfer window opens 

As a result, the Dutch manager would like to include Nunez in his plans for Manchester United’s rebuild this summer. 

However, they will have to battle it out with Liverpool for his signature as Jurgen Klopp has registered his interest in the 22-year-old. 

The Premier League giants are eager to sign Nunez this summer but they will not pay over the odds for the lethal striker. 

Liverpool clearly have the advantage over United in terms of playing in the Champions League next season and their project has more of an immediate trophy-winning capacity.

Ten Hag has planned for Nunez to be a part of his Manchester United rebuild this summer 

Klopp spoke about his admiration of Nunez before Liverpool played Benfica in April

Klopp was full of praise for the South American when Benfica took on Liverpool in the Champions League last season and the Reds need to reinforce their forward line with Sadio Mane heading for the exit door.

Back in April, the German joked: ‘Extremely good looking boy, huh? And a decent player as well. Really good, really good. I knew before, of course, but he played pretty much in front of me with his tough battles with Ibrahima Konate.

‘He was physically strong, quick, was calm around his finish. Good, really good. I always say in these situations if he is healthy, it’s a big career ahead of him.’