Ten Hag admits Man Utd are unlikely to make January transfers
Suraj Radia
- 7 Dec 2023 16:16 CST
- 3 min read
Erik ten Hag has admitted he doesn’t expect Manchester United to be able to make significant improvements in the January transfer window and instead called on his players to give improve from within.
United are hoping to gain investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe before the end of the month, which would see the billionaire take control of the club’s footballing operations and purchase 25% of the club for £1.4 billion.
Ratcliffe’s arrival could provide a cash injection for January but Ten Hag believes United should be ‘realistic’ with their financial restrictions, particularly as ‘most the time you do not attract the best players in winter.’
When asked by The United Stand if the club will bring in players in January, Ten Hag said: “I don’t think so — and if so, the approach from United should be that if you can improve your team, then you should do. What we expect from every player coming to Carrington every day is for them to give their maximum, to give their best.
“As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with financial fair play, I think the club has to go with it.
“But realistically, in relation to the market, most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter. The top, top players will not leave their clubs in the winter. It’s players who are disappointed, injured or just not the right fit or whatever.”
United players complain to Ten Hag over training
Ten Hag’s call for his players to give their best comes amid reports that several senior United players asked for more days off from training, with complaints over the workload.
The report by the Daily Mail also says United players want more notice on their schedules, with Ten Hag planning training on a week-by-week basis and reserving the right to change it based on results.
However, Ten Hag is believed to have been ‘uncompromising’ and stated the highest standards of dedication and sacrifice are required to play for a club such as United and that the players should be prepared to put their bodies on the line.
While incomings may be limited in January, first team stars such as Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane could be sold next month if bids are made as Ten Hag looks to maintain control over his frustrated squad.
