Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag say it premier league The club need reinforcements to remain competitive on all fronts, but added that any signing in January would only be done if the terms match their “sporting and financial criteria”.
United are light on attacking firepower and will look to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo after he left the club following an explosive interview with TalkTV.
British media reported that United were pursuing Dutch striker Cody Gakpo, before Liverpool completed the deal and signed him on Wednesday for an initial fee of 37 million pounds ($44.69 million).
Asked if he would be ok with United not signing a striker during the January window, Ten Hag told reporters: “We have the players who fit our criteria. But with all matches to come, competition is tough in all leagues.
“If you also want to be in all leagues and continue to play in all leagues winning games and cups as well, you need players, you need numbers to cover,” Ten Hag added, speaking ahead of Saturday’s Championship game at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“So we need good players. Not just numbers, you need quality players to cover that and also you need competition.
“And you also have to be able to make tactical choices. We are looking for the right player for our team and (he) must match our sporting criteria but also our financial criteria.”
Ten Hag also praised defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has struggled with injuries this season and been linked with a move from Old Trafford but is slowly finding his feet after starting United’s last two games.
“In the first half of the season he was either injured or sick, so you don’t have a role in the team,” Ten Hag said.
“So I thought the break was good for him. He came back, he was in training camp in Spain, he could play a few games in preparation for the restart.
“Now he is playing games and he is doing very well so I am happy with his performance. But we need this competition in our team… And he has to play games in the team and then you can develop and then you can grow.”
United are light on attacking firepower and will look to fill the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo after he left the club following an explosive interview with TalkTV.
British media reported that United were pursuing Dutch striker Cody Gakpo, before Liverpool completed the deal and signed him on Wednesday for an initial fee of 37 million pounds ($44.69 million).
Asked if he would be ok with United not signing a striker during the January window, Ten Hag told reporters: “We have the players who fit our criteria. But with all matches to come, competition is tough in all leagues.
“If you also want to be in all leagues and continue to play in all leagues winning games and cups as well, you need players, you need numbers to cover,” Ten Hag added, speaking ahead of Saturday’s Championship game at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“So we need good players. Not just numbers, you need quality players to cover that and also you need competition.
“And you also have to be able to make tactical choices. We are looking for the right player for our team and (he) must match our sporting criteria but also our financial criteria.”
Ten Hag also praised defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has struggled with injuries this season and been linked with a move from Old Trafford but is slowly finding his feet after starting United’s last two games.
“In the first half of the season he was either injured or sick, so you don’t have a role in the team,” Ten Hag said.
“So I thought the break was good for him. He came back, he was in training camp in Spain, he could play a few games in preparation for the restart.
“Now he is playing games and he is doing very well so I am happy with his performance. But we need this competition in our team… And he has to play games in the team and then you can develop and then you can grow.”
