Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag opens door to late January addition for Manchester United

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 28 January 2023

Ten Hag opens door to late January addition for Man United

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag suggests that another new player could arrive at the club before the end of the January transfer window.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has refused to rule out further incomings before the end of the January transfer window.

The Red Devils have signed two players this month, both on loan, with Jack Butland arriving from Crystal Palace and Wout Weghorst making the move from Burnley after ending his spell at Besiktas.

A recent report claimed that Anthony Martial's injury problems could lead to the Red Devils attempting to sign another forward before the winter market closes for business.

Ten Hag was questioned on the club's summer transfer plans during Friday's press conference ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round contest with Reading at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman said that he has "an idea" of where he would like to strengthen ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, but the 52-year-old also suggested that Man United's business this month might not have finished.

On-loan Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst on January 18, 2023 © Reuters

"I have an idea. But in the coming days, If I had the opportunity in the comings days [to strengthen], then I would go for it but this is not only up to me," Ten Hag told reporters.

"I think at this club, everyday, that has to be the approach. You have to get better and if they are opportunities to get better you have to strike.

"That is my approach and I am looking, I am looking around with research and I have an idea with the profiles and what profiles we need to strengthen this squad."

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans is among those to be linked with a possible move to Man United, with the Belgium international's contract with the Foxes due to expire at the end of June.

Ten Hag also said that his team will continue to "fight" for silverware this season, as they are currently competing on four fronts in the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez celebrates scoring against Arsenal on January 22, 2023 © Reuters

"That's good. That's why we need all the players we have here in the squad. To develop them but especially to get the right results out of it. We want to stay in those games and leagues, cups as long as possible and we have to fight for it," he added.

"I think that is good for the development of the club, if we are ahead or not in the process I don't know but what we do is every day, we have to give our maximum. Every day we have to approach it and say good is not good enough and we have to do better.

"This is so that we keep going in the progress, and then the progress it is about that and it will never end. We have to approach it like that and if we are ahead or not in the process it is not that important and it is where we are now and we want to win every game, no matter the opponent."

Man United's next four matches are all at Old Trafford, taking on Reading and Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup and EFL Cup respectively, in addition to Premier League games with Crystal Palace and Leeds United.