MX23RW : Tuesday, May 14 01:34:14| >> :120:7785:7785:

Erik ten Hag rules out attacking addition before end of transfer window

Ten Hag rules out attacking addition before end of transfer window
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that the club are not looking to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes for business.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that the club are not looking to bring in a new striker before the transfer window closes for business.

The Red Devils spent big on Rasmus Hojlund earlier this summer, but the Denmark international is yet to feature for his new club due to a troublesome back issue.

Man United have only scored once in their two Premier League matches this season, which came from centre-back Raphael Varane, with Marcus Rashford struggling at centre-forward.

Anthony Martial, meanwhile, cannot be relied upon to stay fit for an extended period due to his injury problems.

The 20-time English champions have recently been linked with Santos's Marcos Leonardo, with a report claiming that the club were lining up an offer for the Brazilian.

Santos forward Marcos Leonardo pictured in June 2022© Reuters

However, Ten Hag, speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, said that Man United are not currently in the market for a centre-forward.

Hojlund is set to be available for next weekend's trip to Arsenal, and the club's head coach has said that he is happy with his options in the final third of the field.

"No, because Rasmus will be available from next week on and then we are with Rasmus, with Anthony Martial. We have coverage and also, of course, we have Rashy [Marcus Rashford] as well there. So we have enough players to cover and quality players to cover that position," said the Dutchman.

However, Ten Hag was critical of his forward players for their lack of movement during the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford in action with Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min on August 19, 2023© Reuters

"They didn't run. And when they did run, it was in the wrong moment and it was too late. Especially the front, they didn't recover," said the head coach on Friday.

"It happened. You can't turn it around. It's a demand here if you want to win games. And we were, for the first 35 minutes, we were so good in the game and we dominated the game totally.

"We should have scored a minimum once but I think two and they were nowhere. Nothing. And then things happened in the game and then they got distracted, not doing the jobs anymore.

"And that's not the demands from a Manchester United player, from our team and I'm not used to it from this team because they always do. And that is what the players and what the fans can expect. But we have to demand."

Man United are believed to be looking to sign a goalkeeper and a central midfielder before the transfer window closes at the end of next week, though, while a left-back could also arrive due to Luke Shaw's recent injury.

ID:522245:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4526:

Click here for more stories about Anthony Martial

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Santos forward Marcos Leonardo pictured in June 2022
Read Next:
Man United 'lining up bid for Santos forward Leonardo'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal37275589286186
2Manchester CityMan City36267391335885
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs361961171591263
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!