Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag looks at the brighter side after crashing out of the Champions League. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag doubts the club will be active in the January transfer window
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag does not anticipate too much transfer activity for the club during the January window. The Red Devils are currently sixth in the Premier League table, three points behind the fourth-place Manchester City.
United have struggled with an injury crisis and poor individual performances from many of their senior team players. The poor start to the season led to many rumours about the January reinforcements to help the manager.
Ten Hag has struggled to install cohesion and a particular tactical philosophy within his senior team. The Red Devils showed vulnerability in both the attacking and defensive phases of the game.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag raises doubt about any significant January transfer signing. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Senior team players like Marcus Rashford and Casemiro have failed to recreate their terrific form during the last season. Furthermore, first-choice centre-backs Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane have missed many games due to injuries.
Martinez has scarcely appeared for the Red Devils this season and remains sidelined with an injury. Whereas, Varane has fallen down the pecking order due to constant fitness concerns which has hampered his performances.
Resurgence in form from out-of-favour players like Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay has helped United so far. Nevertheless, the Red Devils are desperately in need of personnel changes in their senior team squad.
Speaking to the United We Stand fanzine (h/t Sky Sports), Ten Hag cast doubt on United spending much during January. He said:
“I don’t think [we will spend a lot],” he said. “As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with Financial Fair Play, the club has to go with it. But most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter.”
United are currently short on attack department after forward Jadon Sancho had a fallout with the manager in September. Furthermore, summer signings Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat have failed to make a positive impact on the senior team.
The Red Devils have relied on youngsters like Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, and Hannibal Mejbri. The youngsters have given promising performances but United cannot put too much pressure so early in their career.
Siddharth Juyal
