Ten Hag insists there is no panic at United
...BUT REDS BOSS ADMITS HE NEEDS TO GET MORE PLAYERS
ERIK ten Hag admits United are an injury away from encountering problems in midfield and attack.
Anthony Martial’s hamstring strain and Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of playing time convinced the Reds boss to play a strikerless side against Brighton as they lost their seasonopener 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Four attack-minded players left the club at the end of their contracts in June while the departure of Nemanja Matic means there is not a defensive midfielder in the firstteam squad.
Martial is still unavailable for United’s match at Brentford today through injury.
The presence in midfield of Scott McTominay and Fred, who was taken off for Ronaldo after 53 minutes against Brighton, irked many supporters and Donny van de Beek and James Garner are Ten Hag’s alternative options.
“We co-operate well and it is to my satisfaction,” the Reds boss stressed regarding United’s recruitment process. “And, of course, it was better to get the players earlier in because then you get earlier in the process.
“And now we are in the department of midfield and offence, you have seen when we have one injury that we have a problem. That’s clear.”
United identified the midfield and attack as priority positions but have signed a left-back, a centre-back and playmaker Christian Eriksen.
Ten Hag has driven a pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, which is nearing the 100-day mark, while United have agreed a fee of £15m rising to £20m for Adrien Rabiot.
Ajax winger Antony was earmarked as Ten Hag’s preferred attacking addition but the Dutch champions have priced the Brazilian out of a move as he is valued at €80m.
United’s transfer window descended into farce with an €8m bid for Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic last week before the club withdrew their interest amid a backlash from supporters.
Ten Hag coached Arnautovic at Twente and recommended the Austrian as a squad member to support United’s younger forwards. The Dutchman denied United’s window had been a ‘disaster.’ “Of course, there are developments in the transfer market but still we have to get the players in who can contribute and not get players in who cannot do,” Ten Hag explained. “Then we have to do with the squad and then we have to improve the team. “Once again, it would be my preference because we could be starting the process earlier, quite clear. But at the end of the day, the season is long and you have to get in the right players.
“It’s really complicated (in the market), I can tell you, but I think we are really happy with what we have done until now.
“I think that was the positive
The market is really complicated, but we are really happy with what we have done until now Erik ten Hag
point from last week and the week before: Tyrell Malacia did very well (against Atletico Madrid), Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez both did very well in the game against Brighton. We are very happy with that.
“We have to meet high standards and keep the high standards. Also the profiles (of players) we want to get in. Of course, character is always an issue. They have to be good and have to fit into the team.
“When Manchester United is not performing, not winning, (criticism) is normal. I would be more in panic when there wasn’t panic because we have to win. That is the demand.
“Still, I would say panic isn’t the right word. It’s more like, ‘come on, we have to act.’ We have to think bright and do the right things.”
Ten Hag is still convinced United will have a better squad by the end of the transfer window as the club continues to negotiate with Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot’s agent and mother, Veronique. United agreed a fee of £15m rising to £20m for the midfielder.
When asked if United would have a better squad on September 1, Ten Hag stressed: “We have to. I am convinced we will have.”
When asked if he was on the ‘same page’ as the board regarding recruitment, Ten Hag replied: “Yes. I’m happy, I think we’re cooperating really well.
“I cannot tell about any individuals, I cannot talk about players under contract at other clubs.”