Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Ten Hag confirms January signing plan in critical position, though hints Man Utd may already have the answer

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag during a training session at the Aon Training Complex, Greater Manchester

Erik ten Hag taking Manchester United training

Erik ten Hag outlined what he’s looking for when confirming Man Utd will push to sign a new striker in January, though the Dutchman hinted his Cristiano Ronaldo replacement may already be on the books.

Ronaldo’s premature exit has left United short on firepower ahead of the second half of the campaign. Ten Hag was understood to be willing to forego a striker signing in January as long as it meant ridding himself of his Ronaldo problem. However, ESPN later claimed Man Utd were prepared to accelerate their transfer plans to give Ten Hag a new weapon.

Now, speaking to members of the British press in Jerez, Ten Hag confirmed Manchester United’s plan for the winter window.

When asked if United require a new forward next month, Ten Hag said (via the Manchester Evening News): “Yes, but only when we find the right player. We do everything in our power.

“We are doing research on every opportunity and we do everything we can if that opportunity is there to contract them.”

Regarding who the “right player” is, opinion is split.

Cody Gakpo is the club’s primary target at present, though despite leading the line for the Netherlands in Qatar, is primarily a left winger at club level.

What’s more, he’s right-footed and all of United’s current crop of forwards bar Antony are also right-footers.

Other targets have been linked and will come into focus in the coming days. Portuguese pair Goncalo Ramos and Joao Felix would represent ready-made options and Fabrizio Romano recently confirmed Felix wants out of Atletico as soon as possible.

When asked about Gakpo in particular, Ten Hag opted to keep his cards close to his chest.

“I cannot give comments on specific players,” continued the Dutchman. “I will never do that.

“Players have contracts and I respect that but make sure we are working in the background to get the right players in.”

Man Utd already have the answer?

Ten Hag’s rhetoric mirrors that of Jurgen Klopp when Liverpool were quizzed about midfield signings over the summer.

The Reds’ midfield issues were there for all to see, though their primary target, Jude Bellingham, was not available at the time.

Aside from a cost-effective loan deal for Arthur Melo, Liverpool kept their powder dry and just a few months later, are leading the race to snare Bellingham.

If United determine the right man isn’t available mid-season, Ten Hag suggested he’ll be more than willing to use Anthony Martial as his primary centre-forward.

Martial did begin pre-season at No 9 and looked a man on a mission in the early going. He’s also racked up an incredible goal contribution ratio this season when factoring in his limited minutes, though the Frenchman has struggled to stay fit.

Hinting Martial will get the nod if no strikers are signed, Ten Hag added: “The first challenge for him is to be available and fit which, firstly, he has to be responsible for it but we have to support him in all the ways we can.

“We have seen when he is available he has a massive impact on our game. He has 293 minutes, four goals and two assists. That’s a really good record.

“In parts of his game, like pressing, he is doing a really good job for the team linking up the play. For our team, he’s a really important player and we need that profile.

“I think he is [happy] but he was so disappointed that he had bad luck with the injury. In the past, maybe he did something wrong, I don’t know.

“But now it was also bad luck and you come in a process from injuries. And now we have to stop the process and we get him and he gets himself in a better position so that he’s fit and available. For his game and development and progress it would be great.

“Sometimes [he needs an arm around the shoulder], not only just with him. Players need it and have to be backed.”

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