Erik ten Hag admits deficiencies at Man United despite massive summer outlay

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By Martin Graham | 1st Jan 2023

Ten Hag has confessed that Man United needs more players to compete with the top clubs. Manchester United were among the biggest spenders in the transfer window this summer.

Manchester United is never far from the news. Most times, it is not palatable. It has been movement from one controversy to another, with the club losing its toga as a top club in England and Europe. As espoused by concerned parties, average players and mediocrity is the problem that has beset the Old Trafford side.

Commercial interests have overtaken sporting decisions at Old Trafford. It has led to the results the club has enjoyed in recent years. It is a long way from redemption for the Red Devils. Things need to start changing for the club to return to glory.

Erik Ten Hag has sounded the alarm bells at the club. The Dutchman has decried the quality of players at the club. Despite being one of the heaviest spenders in the summer, Ten Hag believes the club needs additional players to challenge for the top prizes.

Erik Ten Hag wants more players at Manchester United

Ten Hag has, on different occasions, subtly let the management of Man United understand the need for additional players at the club. Despite spending £220 million in the summer, the Dutchman is dissatisfied with what is available at the club. The former Ajax manager has called on the club to invest in more players.

Man United spent heavily in the summer with the acquisition of several players, but Ten Hag wants more firepower in his side. He wants to enter the market in the January transfer window. In a recent call, Ten Hag decried the lack of options at Manchester United. He believes that the arrival of top-quality players would improve the chances of going head-to-head with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.

The Red Devils spent plenty of the summer window pursuing Barcelona’s Dutch midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The fruitless effort to sign the midfielder cost them plenty of ground. The Old Trafford side eventually signed several players to make up for lost ground. Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Martin Dubravka arrived in the summer.

Ten Hag sets his limits high

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are having a decent season at Man United, but they are unreliable strikers. Ten Hag seems to understand the need for reliable strikers and wants to sign proper strikers to beef up his attack. There are usually slim pickings in the winter transfer window, but Ten Hag intends to shoot his shot.

Manchester United are within touching distance of the top four and confessed that the quality at the club would make it a struggle to finish in the Champions League places. The Dutchman believes they need new signings to augment the quality of players on the ground and sneak into the top four.

According to Ten Hag, strikers are expensive, especially in the winter. He said the club has to set their limits high, despite the challenges in the market.

United lost to Liverpool in the quest to sign PSV forward Cody Gakpo. The Reds are breathing down their necks, and they need to up their game. Ten Hag believes there is tough competition and depth is required.