Erik ten Hag wants three key Manchester United transfers. (Image: Getty.)
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has stressed the need for three signings this summer, taking a rare approach by publicly naming the areas that he believes the Red Devils need to improve upon in the transfer window.
Ten Hag’s future is far from secure at Old Trafford, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS conduct an end-of-season review that may decide that a parting of ways is the way forward for United, with a host of managerial names reportedly being considered including Xavi and Thomas Tuchel.
Whether Ten Hag or another head coach is in charge, United are expected to press ahead in the transfer window and recruit heavily once again. Confirmed departures of Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane have freed up room on the wage bill, but they will need replacing ahead of next season.
And Ten Hag has boldly stated that another first-team striker, midfielder and centre-back are his United transfer targets ahead of next season. He optimistically believes that such signings coupled with a season of fewer injuries can propel the team back into the top four.
“We need to get a striker in to work alongside Rasmus Hojlund,” Ten Hag began. “I also hope we manage to get another central midfielder and also a replacement for Varane. Then I think things will look very good for next season – with the caveat that the players are fit and stay fit.
“Then you can start playing towards the top four with such an 11. That gives me hope and is also realistic in my eyes.”
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Manchester United’s owners have been told to invest in the squad again. (Image: Getty)
Ten Hag was seemingly undeterred by the prospect of outing United’s transfer targets in public, giving information away to rivals and clubs that INEOS may be in negotiations with for their players.
And the Dutchman will hope that the reported addition of highly-rated Arsenal physio Jordan Reece can go some way to curbing their torrid injury record, en route to an improved campaign.
“The plan last year was clear: we buy a striker and get a goalkeeper who is able to shape the football from behind, and an extra midfielder,” Ten Hag explained. “That was the approach and in theory we would then be stronger and be able to take the next step.
“But practice turned out to be completely different. That has mainly to do with all the injuries, especially in defence. We have had injuries all over the squad. That, in a nutshell, was what the core of this season was.
“I had a very clear idea of the direction we needed to go (last year), but because of all these injuries, and some other off-field issues, you never get that done.”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1906201/Man-Utd-transfer-news-Ten-Hag-INEOS