Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag unwilling to let players leave Manchester United in January transfer window
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is unwilling to let players leave the club in the ongoing transfer window in order to preserve depth in the squad.
The likes of Anthony Elanga seem to have been given a message amidst links of a temporary move to Everton. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is also likely to remain at the club beyond January for the rest of the campaign.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag suggested that he is reluctant to let fringe players look for opportunities elsewhere. The Dutch manager is especially keen on keeping the forwards currently at the club.
“I know we have good players and I know a lot of clubs will have an interest in players who aren’t playing for us so often. But we need the squad. We need depth in the squad and especially, I would say, the frontline.”
United are currently in fourth position in the Premier League. We are two points behind third-placed Newcastle United with a game in hand at the moment.
Ten Hag was flexible at the start of the campaign with his team selection. The gaffer has given a lot of players the opportunity to play regular minutes. However, now, the former Ajax head coach seemingly has his preferred XI.
As a result, a player like Donny van de Beek has found game time hard to come by this season. The Holland international went on loan last season in January to Everton and enjoyed regular minutes until his injury.
Elanga has also seen his opportunities dwindle under Ten Hag. The Sweden international played a lot under Ralf Rangnick in the previous campaign. However, the arrival of Antony and the displays of Alejandro Garnacho have seen the 20-year-old go down the pecking order.
But Cristiano Ronaldo’s untimely exit just before the start of the 2022 World Cup has affected United’s depth in the attack. Anthony Martial is now the only natural striker in the team. Unfortunately, the France international has been injury prone this season.
More Manchester United News
- Erik ten Hag hails “fabulous” Manchester United star Luke Shaw for performances at centre-back
- Everton ‘speaking’ with representatives of Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga over January loan move
- Rio Ferdinand wants “clarity” on absence of Manchester United forward Jadon Sancho
Thus, it is evidently important for Ten Hag to have options, considering the number of fixtures that we still have to play. Thus, unless the Red Devils bring in reinforcements in January, it would be wise for us to keep our current squad intact.
