Man Utd failed to fulfil Ten Hag's January transfer wish

James Shearman

• Updated: 24 Feb 2024 10:47 GMT
• 3 min read

Erik ten Hag has revealed that Manchester United were unable to fulfil his January transfer wish.

The Dutchman desperately wanted to sign a striker last month after the news broke that Anthony Martial had suffered a long-term injury.

Martial is expected to be out of action for around 10 weeks due to a groin problem.

"When I got the news about Martial at the start of January, I really tried to get another striker in," said Ten Hag.

"But because we are vulnerable there, FFP was the thing, we couldn’t do it. Now we have other options, I'm sure it will be ok."

Thankfully for United, summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has found his feet in recent weeks.

The 21-year-old has scored seven goals in his last six Premier League games for the Red Devils.

Man Utd's transfer blunder

Besides not signing a striker, United made a mistake in January that could cost them Champions League football.

They decided to terminate left-back Sergio Reguilon's loan deal last month despite Tyrell Malacia's injury.

The Red Devils foolishly thought that they would be fine with having Luke Shaw as their only available left-back.

Well, Shaw has suffered an injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.

"Luke Shaw will be out for the next months; the expectation is to see him back for the final games of the season," Fabrizio Romano said on his YouTube channel.

Manager Erik ten Hag has now been left without a natural left-sided defender - a situation that could so easily have been avoided.

Victor Lindelof, a right-footed centre-back, appears to be the most likely candidate to replace Shaw in the side.

This will provide an obvious weakness to United's backline that could see them drop points in the latter stages of the season, impacting their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.