Erik ten Hag wants Manchester United to sign a top quality striker in the January transfer window.
Last month’s acrimonious split with Cristiano Ronaldo has left United low on numbers in a forward department where they already lacked cover.
Ahead of United’s home clash with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, in which Anthony Martial is expected to feature in attack, Ten Hag revealed that he is interested in a new signing but only if the right player is available.
PSV Eindhoven striker Cody Gakpo, who scored three goals for the Netherlands at the World Cup, remains a credible target with his club placing a £50m transfer tag on the 22-year-old.
“Two things: first, that impulse can come out of our own club,” Ten Hag said.
“I see [Alejandro] Garnacho, I see [Anthony] Elanga, I see [Facundo] Pellistri, who made a good impression in the World Cup and, also, last week in training.
“So there can be those first but 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, who brings quality into the team, and not just an add to the squad because that gives you real problems.
“And, you know, the criteria is high here at Man United.”
Injury-prone French international Martial remains the only “orthodox” No 9 in Ten Hag’s squad although United have numerous other attacking options including Marcus Rashford.
The England international, who also scored three goals at the World Cup, returned to United duty with a stunning solo goal in Thursday’s Carabao Cup win over Burnley.
And although Rashford has scored just once in the league since netting twice against Arsenal on the first weekend in September, Ten Hag believes he should be a 20-goal-a-season man.
“I don’t want to pin myself to a number but I said from the start, I think he is capable of scoring 20 goals in the Premier League alone,” Ten Hag added.
“So I’m convinced about that. He now has four but he scored many other goals.
“He scored three goals in the World Cup so you have the potential to score those numbers of goals in the Premier League.”
More from Football
Nketiah eases Arsenal's Jesus worries with clinical display in West Ham win26 December, 2022
'You let your country down': Brentford fans taunt Harry Kane before Spurs star's stunning goal26 December, 2022
Arsenal extend lead at the top of the table and Newcastle move into second after thrashing Leicester26 December, 2022Rashford scored his lowest ever tally of league goals (four) last term while his total of five in all competitions was the most modest return of his seven-season career.
His largest ever tally of league goals is 17, in 2019-20, and only twice in his career has he scored over 20 in all competitions.
United have scored just 20 league goals in their first 14 league games, exactly half as many as leading scorers Manchester City.
In the top 10, only Chelsea – with 17 goals – have fewer although Ten Hag takes that as a glass-half-full situation, given that his side entered the weekend in fifth place.
“I see it this way – it’s a good sign we are still fifth,” he said. “We are aware we need to score more goals, we need to improve on many more elements.
“We created so many opportunities against Burnley and have to be more decisive. But I am really happy with the performance to create seven or eight good chances, but it’s clear we have to score more.”
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3VJBq1O
Post a Comment