ERIK TEN HAG appears to have dismissed Manchester United’s chances of winning the title this season after admitting the squad “lack quality.”
Man Utd were left to call up reinforcements for their 2-2 draw against Leeds.
That game saw United without both first-choice centre-mids, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, and right-winger Antony.
This saw Fred and Marcel Sabitzer partner up in midfield, with the Brazilian putting in a less-than-stellar display.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, who SunSport revealed has set up a security firm, was shifted out to the right wing to accommodate Alejandro Garnacho at left wing.
Despite a solid performance from Garnacho, United did not start truly kicking into gear until Rashford was moved away from the right wing as he replaced Wout Weghorst up front.
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Speaking ahead of the match today, Ten Hag revealed his vision to have two top class players in every position in order to allow United to compete on all fronts.
He said: “If we want to restore Manchester United, we need top players but also double in each position because we want to act in so many competitions.
“You saw it in the last game how we have, in certain positions, a lack of quality. That can’t be if you want to compete for the highest [trophies].
“I’m here to manage the team, get the best out of them, and of course I have a job in bringing the right players in.
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“There is a lot of communication about that with the board and management of the club but I am here to achieve the sporting aims and goals, not the finance.”
After a January which saw Ten Hag only loan in players, his summer war chest could be significantly larger with the club set to be sold to new owners.
Middle Eastern consortiums and Britain’s richest man Sir Jim Ratcliffe are among the interested parties, with the latter said to be “determined” to get a deal done.
Ten Hag added: “I am calm about the situation (takeover). I am planning. I always go for the highest, so we go for the best, the best we can get, but also we have plan B.
“What you see in the Premier League is other clubs investing but also having quality in managers, players and getting good players in.
“The competition is really tough. For a long time it was a two-horse race but now I think it is a six, seven, eight-horse race.’
“I still can refer to my first press conference here: I said ‘Things can change.'”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
