According to reports, Manchester United overcame Real Madrid in the battle to recruit Martin Baturina, the phenomenon from Dinamo Zagreb, as optimism about Dan Ashworth’s ability to close a deal grows. The star’s arrival may be the end for an extremely experienced Red Devils player.
After losing their first three games of the season, Erik ten Hag’s team has had a lackluster start. However, the Dutchman will be hoping that Manchester United’s confidence has returned after winning their last two games, including a 7-0 thumping of League One Barnsley in the Carabao Cup.
As Ten Hag’s five summer additions continue to settle into life at Old Trafford, it will be hoped that this is a harbinger of things to come and better outcomes continue to follow.
But the United revolution under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Dan Ashworth is only in its early stages, as preparations are already in place for a significant player change that will take place prior to the 2025 transfer windows.
The Croatian actress Baturina, who has been receiving great praises with Dinamo Zagreb lately, is one name that has been frequently mentioned recently. With five assists in only eight games this season, the midfielder has drawn attention and has been mentioned as a possible Real Madrid target.
Journalist Patrick Berger of Sky Deutschland now claims that United has “positioned themselves” in the lead in the competition to recruit the talented 21-year-old.
According to Berger’s post on X, United is huge fans of a player who caught the attention of Atletico Madrid, Fiorentina, and AS Roma during the summer. Berger further believes that the player is prepared to “take the next step” in the summer of 2025, giving the Red Devils optimism for a trade.
The veteran Man Utd star’s career will finish with the signing of Croatian “jewel.”
Berger called the youngster a “Croatian jewel,” and Ashworth and company plan to monitor the guy closely in the upcoming months as they try to follow through on their initial interest in signing him. The athlete was in action on Tuesday night as his team lost 9-2 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Even though the Red Devils have already signed Manuel Ugarte this summer for a total estimated value of £50.5 million (€60 million, $66.7 million), their midfield makeover is far from complete.
Ratcliffe and Ashworth are therefore on a somewhat personal crusade to reduce United’s salary bill, and they are particularly eager to move on those high-paid players who might not be exactly earning their keep.
Because of this, the new administration promptly let go of Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane, who earned a combined £590,000 a week, when their contracts expired.
Furthermore, it is said that United’s management is still actively revamping the team, with Christian Eriksen and Casemiro—who Ugarte is anticipated to eventually replace—being the next targets on their hit list.
Eriksen’s exit appears inevitable at this point. The seasoned Dane is a highly regarded player at United and he did manage to score twice on Tuesday night as the Tykes were defeated.
However, he is on a £150,000-per-week contract that is set to expire in the summer of next year, and his time at Old Trafford is running out because he lost out to Ten Hag in the hierarchy.
According to sources who spoke with TEAMtalk, unless something unexpected happens, the 136-cap Denmark international is prepared to move on next summer. However, a low-cost move in the January transfer window is also a possibility.
Furthermore, rumors that Eriksen’s time is running out would only grow stronger in the event that Baturina is captured.
McCoist blasts Man Utd star as confirmation of interest in Leverkusen player is received.
Other than that, Ten Hag has praised Antony’s goal on Tuesday night from the penalty spot, saying he’s happy to see the team spirit at United and that Marcus Rashford has given the Brazilian the responsibility for spot kicks.
At a press conference held after the game, Ten Hag stated, “They are very ambitious, very hungry.” However, they also pass the ball to one another, wish to help one another, and let one another score, like in a penalty shootout.
“When Rashy gives Antony the pen, which is beneficial for the team when they are together, Antony needs some confidence.”
Nevertheless, Ally McCoist continued to criticize Antony, calling one United attacker “the best of an average bunch,” despite the team’s victory and the goal. If there was ever a backhanded compliment, this is it!
We can disclose that a few Premier League teams, including the Red Devils, are interested in acquiring Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah in 2025.
The 6′ 5in center-half has said that he wants to depart on a free agent when his contract expires in 2019.
United is reportedly interested in signing the 31-time capped Germany international, but a well-known rival is first in line.
Why is Martin Baurina destined for success, and who is he?
Baturina was born in February 2003. She attended the renowned Dinamo Zagreb youth academy, which has turned great players like Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, and Luka Modric.
He comes from a football-loving family as well; his older brother Roko plays for Malaga right now, and his father Mate Baturina was a former Croatian international.
Since making his senior debut in May 2021, the 21-year-old has made 127 more appearances, tallying 16 goals and 32 assists.
In2023, he made an even bigger impression for Croatia in the European Under-21 Championship, and he has since earned four senior appearances.
Baturina, a 5′ 8″ attacking midfielder, is small in stature and has a low center of gravity that helps him maneuver out of confined places.
He has drawn parallels to Modric, who left Zagreb for Tottenham and has since enjoyed a trophy-filled career at Real Madrid, due to his vision, technical prowess, and dribbling abilities.
Croatian journalist Dragan Stojanovic stated via Transfermarkt that “when you compare the two at the same age, you could say that Baturina is further in his development at the same age as Modric.”
He is unquestionably quite mature for his age. His playmaking skills, excellent game reading, and constant sense of what to do with the ball next are his strongest suit.
“There are practically no weaknesses,” he said. His constancy may be his lone weakness. However, I am confident that he will replace Modric.
