Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag addressed the potential of signing more new players..
Erik ten Hag has been speaking at a press conference on the USA tour as the team prepare to face Arsenal this weekend.
The manager spoke about the two new signings he has made so far, with Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro signed already.
Yoro is with United’s squad on the pre-season tour, while Zirkzee must wait to join up following his exploits at Euro 2024.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
Erik ten Hag wants more signings
Erik ten Hag is pleased with the two Manchester United signings he has made, and does not wish to stop there.
He is quoted via The Mail: “I want the squad as strong as possible. We already made two very good buys so when everyone is fit we have a team that can beat everyone.
“But with squad depth we need to catch up because we have injuries. This season will be the survival of the fittest.”
Last season was wrecked for Manchester United due to injuries, where United operated without a fit back-up striker, and no left-back for large parts of the season.
Even this tour squad highlights the deficiencies, with no senior left-back on tour and just one right-back.
United need to add depth, and in midfield too, where too much must not be asked of 19-year-old wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.
The transfer window is open for another month and it is clear there is a lot of work for Manchester United to do.
Ten Hag added, per The Athletic, that work is ongoing to add new faces to the squad.
He said: “We are occupied, we work continually. Good thing we already signed two players, but it belongs to a club like Man United to look if an opportunity is there. There is time until August 31.”
Ten Hag faith in Marcus Rashford
Another problem last season was Marcus Rashford’s dramatic slide in form. The forward has had his issues with inconsistency from year to year, but the last two campaigns have been extreme.
Rashford scored a career best 30 goals in 2021/22. Then in 2022/23 he failed to hit double figures, scoring only eight times.
Now, Ten Hag believes he can get back to his 21/22 form, commenting: “I am confident and 100 per cent believe he can do what he did two years ago. He is capable of it.”
Rashford has played one pre-season game so far against Lillestrom, but missed the Rangers game with a minor knock.
He was fine to travel on tour and is expected to play against Arsenal. It is important to get him scoring early to build his confidence. Rashford didn’t score on tour last year – an early goal over the next three pre-season games will be a major boost.
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