Erik ten Hag bemoans Man Utd’s lack of ‘quality’ squad players and admits he could be forced into January transfer deals
ERIK TEN HAG has hinted that he could dip into the transfer market during the January window. It comes as the Dutchman bemoaned the lack of “quality” depth at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag has hinted at January transfer activity due to needing more ‘quality’ playersCredit: AFP
Ten Hag’s side are in action against Wolves on Saturday, fresh off the back of a convincing 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest.
However, Ten Hag has suggested United will need more quality if they are to succeed in achieving their goals and once again reiterated they were in the market for the “right player”.
He said: “I think we have a squad, we have players who are matching our criteria.
“But, all the games are coming. It’s a tough competition, in all the leagues, we want to be also in all the leagues and keep playing in all the leagues and in the cups as well.
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“So we need players and we need numbers to cover. So we need good players, not just the numbers, we need quality players to cover.
“And also we need competition and we need to know also that we can make different choices.
“So we are looking for the right player for our squad but it has to match our sporting criteria, definitely, but also some financial criteria.”
The Nottingham Forest game finally allowed Ten Hag to unleash arguably his strongest attacking line-up.
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He was also able to use a strong bench, including exciting teenager Alejandro Garnacho and scorer of the third goal Fred.
He added: “We need impact from the bench. I’m happy once again with the players coming from the bench – Fred scoring a goal, I think all the subs who came in did really well.
“Also, in the offensive department, we need players coming from the bench to have an impact on the game.
“Whether you need a goal, or save when you are leading, you can go for counter-attacks or, at least, keep the win on your side.”
Ten Hag is said to have been left “frustrated” by United’s failure to sign Cody Gakpo – who instead went to Liverpool.
And with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo following the termination of his contract at Old Trafford, United have been left short on firepower up front.
Despite this, the squad has been boosted thanks to additions from elsewhere, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka returning to the fold after barely featuring in the first part of the season.
Ten Hag said of the full-back: “First you have to be on the pitch and the first half of the season he was either injured or ill so he didn’t have a role in the squad.
“So I think the break was good for him.
“He returned, he was in the training camp in Spain and could play some games in preparation of the restart and now he’s playing two games and he’s doing really well so I’m happy with his performance.
“(We will develop him) by training, by coaching. He has to play games in the team and then he can develop, then he can grow.
“But we need competition in the squad.” More
