Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ten Hag admits ‘great opportunity’ could spring more Man Utd signings, amid crunch Wan-Bissaka update

Erik ten Hag, Steve McClaren of Man Utd, August 2022

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag claims a “great opportunity” could emerge for a final signing, amid an update on the future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

United started the summer transfer window in slow fashion while their rivals snapped up key players. Liverpool bought Darwin Nunez early on, while Manchester City and Arsenal were also quick to add firepower.

Man Utd have had to wait until the final week of the window to add to their front line. Brazilian winger Antony is joining from Ajax for £84million to become the Red Devils’ second-most expensive addition.

The deal comes after United added former Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro in a £70million transfer.

Newcastle’s deputy goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is also close to a move, while Barcelona’s right-back Sergino Dest is supposedly on Ten Hag’s radar.

Speaking at his latest press conference, the Dutch manager insisted that there could be more signings at Old Trafford by Thursday’s transfer deadline.

“I think for this window [Antony and Martin Dubravka] would be the end, but when there is great opportunity you always have to be alert at this top club,” he said.

As for outgoings, right-back Wan-Bissaka and Cristiano Ronaldo are the headline names who could leave.

Ten Hag on Wan-Bissaka, Ronaldo futures

Wan-Bissaka has lost his place to Diogo Dalot and has in fact only played four minutes of Premier League action this campaign.

However, Ten Hag said of the 24-year-old’s future: “Of course, Aaron will stay in.

“So this squad, we will go from September to minimum January, but we will play with this squad this season.”

United are reportedly keen on Barca’s USA international Dest – but they must move Wan-Bissaka on for it to happen. There has been talk of a swap deal involving Dest and Wan-Bissaka this week.

The latest report claims that West Ham now want Wan-Bissaka and are planning on changing his position. In any case, the United right-back has supposedly demanded showdown talks with Ten Hag.

The Dutchman said of Ronaldo, whose agent Jorge Mendes has been trying to send him to Napoli: “Clear, of course. I just said we need quality players.

“You need more to cover all the games, to keep the consistency going, that is what we strive for.”

But Ten Hag did insist that he wants more attacking signings. He said of Antony’s arrival: “There is an agreement between the clubs but the paperwork is not done, so I cannot go deep.

“We still need to strengthen the offensive department because we have many games to cover.”

Man Utd boss makes his decision

There has been a lot of talk about the futures of Wan-Bissaka and Ronaldo this week, but Ten Hag has made it absolutely clear that neither player is leaving.

Still, amid the interest in Dest, it remains to be seen whether there is a U-turn – or at least movement of sorts – with Wan-Bissaka.

Ronaldo certainly looks more unlikely to get a move away at this stage than Wan-Bissaka.

Talk of a deal involving a Napoli loan for the Portuguese and a separate deal to bring Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen looks too complicated to force through before the deadline.

Ronaldo, of course, wants out this summer to return to the Champions League. But, Ten Hag is standing his ground and will expect the 37-year-old to perform when required.