FRUSTRATING FORWARD PLIGHT
Ten Hag wanted a new striker in January but said hands were tied by spending rules
ERIK TEN HAG failed to land a striker in January – and blamed Financial Fair Play.
The Manchester United chief said he could not add firepower while staying within the rules.
The Dutchman had said that to add an extra body to his squad, he first needed to off-load.
That proved beyond United and Ten Hag said he would now need to “be creative” as he chased solutions. He said: ”I think it’s not a secret that I wanted an extra striker because, with the injury to Anthony Martial, we don’t have back-up there.
“It was not possible because we have to match the FFP rules.
“We have Omari Forson, we have Amad Diallo, and of course we have Marcus Rashford who can play there.
“The rest of the positions are occupied but we have to be a little bit creative in the No.9 position.”
Asked to clarify what would have needed to happen, Manchester United’s boss added: “There are some disadvantages with FFP. To make space you have to sell players and you have to sell good players. I don’t think that’s the way you build a team.”
Ten Hag may need to chop and change for tomorrow’s visit of West Ham as he reported that Rasmus Hojlund was exhausted after all the running he did during the win at Wolves on Thursday.
However, he was pleased overall with the threat in front of goal at Molineux. Marcus Rashford was substituted towards the end after needing less than five minutes to remind everyone in the Black Country of his goalscoring talent.
He is an obvious option to play as a No.9 but the Dutchman is seeing signs of progress up front.
Ten Hag, whose side are a point behind West Ham, said: “I thought the whole team did very well at Wolves and if they get the service from the back they are a threat for every opposition.”
Sofyan Amrabat could be available to face Hammers, managed by former Old Trafford chief David Moyes, and Victor Lindelof is also on the mend. However, there was less encouraging news about former Chelsea star Mason Mount, who has been sidelined since November with a calf injury.
Ten Hag said: “He’s been struggling from the second game of the season. He returned for a period and then picked up another injury, so that’s not great.
“That is very frustrating for him and I feel for him. I want to be there for him because he had such high expectations and I had high expectations. I am sure he will be a very good player for us.
“But, first of all, what’s important is we have to get him fit.
“We need to be secure in the process, step by step, don’t force it and then hopefully by the end of the season he can stay fit and fight his way into the team, or at least play a role in this team.”
United lost 2-0 at West Ham just before Christmas but the Hammers have a poor record at Old Trafford. They haven’t won on a Premier League visit to United since May 2007.