When Erik ten Hag decided to take over as Manchester United’s new boss, he knew of the massive rebuilding job he had agreed to take on himself.
The squad had quite a few holes, especially in defense and midfield, which for the moment have been covered thanks to some impeccable acquisitions in the summer.
United squandered their cash on five permanent signings and one loan transfer and the temporary recruiting has raised quite a few eyebrows.
Martin Dubravka was signed from Newcastle United because the Dutchman wanted to give United number 1 David de Gea tough competition.
The enigma of the United goal
Ten Hag had identified the Spain international as an area of weakness considering his weakness with the ball at his feet and his inability to play as a goalkeeper, a trait most modern goalkeepers have in their arsenal.
So far the Slovak has failed to usurp the Spaniard and has settled for a competitive outing and it doesn’t look like United are going to make the change permanent.
BUILD A STATUE OF DOMINIK LIVAKOVIC IN CROATIA ????????
No goalkeeper has made more saves than him in the World Cup ???? pic.twitter.com/INzKxq00cd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 9, 2022
The Mirror has now revealed that the Red Devils had the chance to snatch Croatian World Cup hero Dominik Livakovic from Dinamo Zagreb for between €5-10m.
However, due to the amounts already spent in other areas, they opted to bring in a loan replacement in the form of the Magpies’ goalie.
United will no longer have it easy after what they have done in Qatar. “However, that asking price could rise soon after his heroism brought Zlatko Dalic’s team within 90 minutes of a second straight World Cup final,” the report added.
According to The Athletic, the 20-time English champions were one of three Premier League clubs that could have moved to Livakovic over the summer.
Livakovic could have been at Old Trafford
The other two were Nottingham Forest, who brought Dean Henderson on loan from United, and Leicester City, who have Danny Ward as their number 1.
Livakovic has impressed everyone with his impressive displays. Not many would have given the 2018 finalists a chance to make it to the final four.
But the goalkeeper has assured that his team is about to recreate history. The 27-year-old has kept two clean sheets in the group stage, including a shutout against Belgium, who had registered 16 shots on target.
Two penalty shootout victories against Japan and favorites Brazil followed with Livakovic saving three of four against the Asian side while saving Rodrygo’s penalty in the quarterfinals.
Croatia coach Dalic paid his goalkeeper the highest compliment: “When it came to penalties, I knew Brazil had lost the game. I knew we were favorites then. We always win when it comes to penalties.”
