Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January

By Nuelzy - December 27, 2022 | Categories: SportsTags: Football

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Manchester United manger Erik ten Hag has stressed the importance of signing a new striker in the upcoming January transfer window following the recent departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo left Old Trafford with immediate effect in November following the incendiary interview he gave to TalkTV, doing irreparable damage to his relationship with Ten Hag after insisting he has no respect for the Dutch coach.

Although flush with wide forwards after spending significant sums on Jadon Sancho and Antony since 2021, Ronaldo was already one of only two recognised ‘number nine’ players in the squad – alongside Anthony Martial – after the summer exit of Edinson Cavani. Aside from Ronaldo, United haven’t spent money to sign a central striker on a permanent transfer since Romelu Lukaku in 2017.

The situation has only become more urgent since Ronaldo walked away last month.

United had long been interested in Cody Gakpo, a player capable of playing both on the left and centrally, but Liverpool have moved quickly to secure a deal worth an initial £37m.

Ten Hag is confident that United still have the potential to produce good young forwards of their own, but the former Ajax boss is not kidding himself that it is enough. Equally, however, any player recruited to fill that ‘number nine’ void has to be the right one.

“Two things,” he said ahead of Tuesday night’s clash with Nottingham Forest. “Impulse can come out of our own club, see [Alejandro] Garnacho, see [Anthony] Elanga, see [Facundo] Pellistri, who made a good impression at the World Cup and also in training. That is first.

“Second, yes, we are aware we lost a striker, so I think we have to get a striker in, but it has to be the right one. The right one is a player that brings quality to the team, not just adding to the squad because that only gives you problems. You know the criteria is high here at Manchester United.”

The aforementioned Martial has had a stop-start seven years at Old Trafford. The Frenchman looked like he had finally cracked it in 2019/20 when he scored 23 goals in all competitions. But his form later deserted him and fitness troubles have also taken a toll on his numbers.

Ten Hag has spoken positively about Martial, who was loaned to Sevilla last season.

“In my way of playing I like the type [of player] Antony Martial is, because he can hold the ball. ‘He is a [also] a target, he can link up, but he can also run behind. He has speed, he can finish, and he has good pressure [presses well],” the United manager explained in November.

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Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Lee Traynor - Dec 27, 2022 9:46 pm

We have enough wingers ….. let’s hope we can find a decent striker without paying over the odds

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Leigh Hayes - Dec 27, 2022 9:59 pm

Fingers crossed you’re wrong. We we smart enough to get Casamiro.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Luke Smith - Dec 27, 2022 10:37 pm

Gakpo aint a striker anyway, vlahovic would be a good signing and juve always sell, dont think glazers are putting the money up tho

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Aasar Ptah - Dec 27, 2022 10:55 pm

Being that The Glazer need to sell up, there’s probably going to purchases during January,also with Players offload eg; Brendan Williams,Wam etc and probably loan players,one feels that MUFC only in position probably to bring in a loan Player.
MUFC will to wait till the end of season be it the Glazers have gone before purchasing another Player.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - David Bruus - Dec 27, 2022 11:36 pm

Terrible list. All i saw was Ramos and Osihmen. The rest should not come anywhere near United.!

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Frank Mendez - Dec 27, 2022 11:49 pm

It’s a complete disaster, when you see we paid 90 million for Anthony and Gakpo has went for under half. Really concerned about our long-term future if we don’t secure the right players!

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Keshi Izuagbe - Dec 28, 2022 12:54 am

It is a pitiable situation at Manchester United rightnow we might end up not qualified for champion league.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - John Gray - Dec 28, 2022 1:03 am

Felix is too lightweight. Forget the rest. I”d rather struggle on and make do. Save the loan money and the wages.
In the summer go for Ramos, and as we will get nowhere near Bellingham, Enzo is a must.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Andre Syboll Smit - Dec 28, 2022 1:56 am

This club is a mess. They loose all their targets on cheap and than they go on panic buy for more money

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Shaun Wilkins - Dec 28, 2022 2:24 am

I thought utd were supposed to be rich

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Steven Little - Dec 28, 2022 3:07 am

If the Glazers are planning on selling the club before the end of the season, i cant see and why would they invest any money in players now.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Karl Gradidge - Dec 28, 2022 3:26 am

I don’t see why depay would be a bad signing for now he would be very cheap and he is a top quality player

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Mandowa Manchester - Dec 28, 2022 4:35 am

We need to sell Martial, Maguire and Lindelof to get a proper striker.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Grant George - Dec 28, 2022 5:26 am

Personally…..I’m ready for back lash……get Sancho ready and ripe. Antony out on the right. Sancho/Garnacho left. Either or both Rashford and Martial through the middle. We don’t need to sign anyone We have strikers. Just give them a run out. We need midfielders who can learn off Cassermiro and Eriksen.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Usman Abubakar - Dec 28, 2022 8:00 am

Manchester united never serious in their transfer they will linked to player at end the story will ends negative

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Jonathan Rose - Dec 28, 2022 8:54 am

It’s not just how bad Juve finances are but they are in deep crap regarding financial irregularities and a bung to Ronaldo too. Hearing I think on January 20th.. maybe serious sanctions again for them

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Levi Iko - Dec 28, 2022 10:05 am

Hope we can get both Felix and vlahovic another decent midfield option and a right back

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Mark Sto Domingo - Dec 28, 2022 10:37 am

Every striker who was “linked” to United signed up for another club. Its all clickbait!

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Daniel Tan - Dec 28, 2022 11:50 am

The board is unbelievable good in saving money for the Glazer family in term of negotiation and signing players

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Geoff Nicolas - Dec 28, 2022 12:15 pm

It doesn’t matter what players we need to come to United; but with these carpetbaggers in charge, nothing’s going to happen.

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Shane Finglas - Dec 28, 2022 12:39 pm

Liverpool signed a winger, United need a striker. It’d not rocket science!

Erik ten Hag discusses Man Utd plans to sign striker in January - Neil Schofield - Dec 28, 2022 1:47 pm

Once again we show our ineptitude in getting deals done. Whether it’s lack of contract negotiation skill or lack of money we are a laughing stock.