Erik ten Hag explained how he chooses transfer targets for Manchester United
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has explained the characteristics he looks for when targeting players in the market. Speaking to the club media (h/t Manchester Evening News), he outlined the traits he looks for.
It starts with the basic stuff. [You have to be] reliable, have drive, have the motivation – [be] highly motivated. You [should] want to fight and you [should] bring it every day on the training pitch. You want to strengthen the squad. You are [part of] a unified club, a unified team and, most of, all you are prepared to win.
Ten Hag has signed three players till now and has an agreement in principle for the fourth. The Dutchman is interested in signing at least one forward, another midfielder, a right-back and a backup goalkeeper.
With less than two weeks remaining till the deadline, it will be wise for him to up his speed. He could be left in a very peculiar situation if he fails to assemble the desired team before September 1.
Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia have all signed for the club this summer. But none of them has gotten off to a good start. The first two have struggled to impress in both league games till now, while the third has been brought in as competition for Luke Shaw.
The club has agreed in principle to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid. He will become the fourth signing of the summer for the Manchester club, and also likely the best one. The 30-year-old is one of the best in his trade and is likely to start games regularly for the club.
But Ten Hag faces problems within his dressing room too. The players are not looking happy, and some of them still have uncertain futures. The fans are also unhappy with the ownership of the Glazers and are planning a protest against them before the next game.
The type of players that the Dutch are looking for is there in his team too. He just has to find a way to bring out those qualities in them. With only 11 days remaining in the transfer window, it will be interesting to see who all arrive at the club.
The club could surely use a proven young striker, a midfielder, and perhaps a right-back. Signing a backup goalkeeper to David de Gea also seems like an urgent situation after Dean Henderson’s departure to Nottingham Forest on loan.
More Manchester United News
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- Atletico Madrid forward Yannick Carrasco identified as target to strengthen Manchester United attack
- Manchester United declined opportunity to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie after Adrien Rabiot deal collapsed
Presently, Ten Hag has a huge task on his hands and it remains to be seen if he will sign any players in the coming days. The fans will hope that their team can at least get a point in their next game and open their books for this season. But it will be no easy task as they take on Liverpool this Monday.
