Former darts world champion Michael van Gerwen responded to a bookies’ ridicule of a potential move to Manchester United with a humorous answer.
Erik ten Hag is seeking to rebuild a dismal United team and has been connected with a slew of players this summer.
Paddy Power, a bookmaker, tweeted a hilarious report about summer transfer targets for the Red Devils, writing:
“BREAKING: Man Utd’s list of summer transfer targets has been leaked. The leaks confirm the club are interested in signing Frenkie De Jong, Antony, Jurrien Timber, Lisandro Martinez, Jari Litmanen, Wesley Sneijder, Michael Van Gerwen and Tiesto.”
The first four names mentioned are actual United targets. The latter four, on the other hand, are retired darts players Jari Litmanen and Wesley Sneijder, the world’s third-ranked darts player Gerwen, and DJ Tiesto.
Van Gerwen responded to the tweet by mocking United’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, writing:
“I’m a Champions League player I’m not dropping down.”
Manchester United will compete in the UEFA Europa League next season, following one of the club’s worst seasons in its history.
The Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League and have only three trophies since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. Since his retirement in 2013, United have only won the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the UEFA Europa League.
After appointing Ten Hag last month, United is working on a shortlist of possibilities. Jurrien Timber and Frenkie de Jong of the Netherlands are on the list, as are free agent Christian Eriksen and Ajax attacker Antony, as well as a backup goalkeeper to replace Dean Henderson.
While such high-profile chases are public knowledge, important people in the Old Trafford boardroom have been unable to get any business done thus far. Free agents Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, and Jesse Lingard are leaving United, but no new players have arrived.
