Erik ten Hag insists there is no panic at Manchester United but has challenged his club to salvage a summer transfer window that has so far bordered on the disastrous.
The new United manager has also moved to quell talk of a potential move for Marcus Rashford to PSG – with the usually unemotional ten Hag insisting he “loves” the England star.
But, as United look to avoid a repeat of last week’s home loss to Brighton at Brentford on Saturday, ten Hag admits his club must start producing results in the transfer market, as well as on the field.
“When Manchester United is not performing, not winning, that’s (panic) normal,” said ten Hag.
“Of course, there are developments in the transfer market but still we have to get the players in who can contribute and not get players in who cannot do.
“It would be better to get the players earlier in because then you get earlier in the process and now, in the department of midfield and offence, you have seen when we have one injury then we have a problem. That’s clear.”
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Ten Hag must decide whether to start his only fit striker, Cristiano Ronaldo, at Brentford while he looks certain to stand by Rashford, despite rumours this week linking him with PSG.
“I have not spoken with him yet but he knows I love him, he knows I want him to be here so I will tell him that again,” said ten Hag.
“He showed already in the short time I’ve been here, in pre-season, what he can do.
“Also last week he was twice in a position where he could score. The team also with his contribution, he was in the right moment in the right place and I know and I trust he will finish in the future.”
Guardiola unsure on Bernardo Silva future amid Barcelona links
Pe Guardiola has promoted new signing Sergio Gomez to his first-team squad – after a personal recommendation from Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany.
The 21-year-old Spanish under-21 defender will join from Kompany’s Anderlecht in an £11 million move this week and now stay with the first team squad, rather than go out on loan.
“He’s so young, open to learn, I spoke with Vinny about him. He has to improve in some departments, that’s why he’s 21 and he’s going to improve but he’s perfect for what he need.”
Guardiola’s declaration about an end to spending leaves the champions with a senior squad of just 21 and only 14 outfield players for today’s visit of Bournemouth, with Aymeric Laporte and Kalvin Phillips out injured and Cole Palmer a doubt.
“The quality is there, they just have to push each other to the next step this season. If nobody moves, I think nobody’s coming in.”
The only possible major departure could be Bernardo Silva, still a target for Barcelona, although Guardiola is desperate for him to stay.
“I want Bernardo here, 100, 110 per cent I want him to stay,” said Guardiola.
“I love him. I go weak when I talk about him! He is a special person with how. I don’t know what is going to happen but he knows how much we like him and want him and love him.”
Wolves to offer Neves £100,000 per week to stay
Wolves are in talks with Ruben Neves over a new contract after warding off interest in their main asset.
The Portugal midfielder, 25, has two years left on his deal but head coach Bruno Lage is desperate to keep the player.
It’s understood the club could offer Neves £100,000 a week – dwarfing his current earnings of around £60,000 a week.
Neves was expected to leave this summer but Manchester United and Arsenal were put off by Wolves’ £80m valuation.
Now the former Porto midfielder, who cost £15.8m in 2017, has been made captain following the departure of Conor Coady to Everton.
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“We are working on a new contract for Ruben,” said Lage. “At the last game, the fans were singing ‘keep Ruben’ and we’re doing everything on that front to keep him.
“Ruben has started the season with us and we have a great relationship.
“It’s easy to work with him, he understands a lot of things – not just about him but the team – he’s a great professional and he wants to keep learning and improving.
“And during last season, every challenge he was given he worked to meet it and I am so happy he’s staying with us.”
Elliott to get first-team chance in Thiago’s absence
Harvey Elliott is set to get an early chance to show why Jurgen Klopp rewarded him with a lucrative new contract this week.
The 19-year-old Liverpool midfielder impressed when coming on as a substitute in the Community Shield and again against former club Fulham in the Premier League opener last weekend to put himself in strong contention to replace the injured Thiago Alcantara in Monday’s home clash with Crystal Palace.
With Thiago likely to be ruled out for between four and six weeks with the torn hamstring he suffered at Craven Cottage, and Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also on the sidelines, Klopp has ruled out a late foray into the transfer market for replacements, insisting that with nine midfielders – when all are fit – he already has “the solutions in his squad.”
Elliott is one of them and could get the nod alongside Jordan Henderson and Fabinho against Palace ahead of more experienced pair James Milner, fit-again Naby Keita and new boy Fabio Carvalho.
“Harvey’s is always in my thoughts,” said Klopp. “He’s a fantastic boy. He’s a super player and came on and had a real impact, played a really good pre-season and that was very helpful.”
Elliott impressed when he started the first four Premier League games of last season before suffering a serious ankle injury at Leeds that required surgery and kept him out of action until February. Klopp has admired his determination to overcome the setback and return back to his best while believing there is still a lot more to come from him.
“Everybody just has to make the next step in their development,” he added. “That’s normal. Harvey played already at an incredible level, then he got injured. That’s it pretty much, he played a good pre-season, and in all the games when he came on, he was really decisive.
“So, does he have to ‘step up’? Yeah, but like all the others as well. And ‘filling the gap’? Actually, when you start the season with eight or nine midfielders, they all have the same chance.
“We have injuries but I expect from the boys that over the time that we work together – and of course rather sooner than later – they fulfil their potential. That’s what I am looking for and Harvey is on a good way, that’s how it is.”
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