Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United must make more signings in attack if they are to have any chance of competing for the big prizes next season.
Ten Hag said his United squad is still not strong enough going forward, with the ex-Ajax boss still keen on signing his former striker, £70million-rated Antony. Ten Hag, speaking in Perth ahead of United's final tour game in Australia tomorrow, against Aston Villa, admitted Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea all had an advantage having made the bulk of their signings before going on tour.
Asked if he was concerned about shortage of options in attack, Ten Hag said: “That is a reason, but it's also the number of games. You need more options in offence. I think it’s vital [United sign more players] if you want to get success, because the season is really long. But we also have still time to fill that in.
“It's definitely an advantage we could have [having all of the new signings on tour]. But we are not in that situation, so you have to deal with that situation, you have to develop the team with the players you have. That’s what we do. Back in Manchester, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez will join in, and I think they can quite quickly integrate into the team.
“We signed Eriksen for the midfield, we are really happy with that. I am really happy with the performance of the midfield and offence at this moment. But I also know this season we have a lot of games, the World Cup, so we need more options.
“We have a good team, but we need a good squad to get the right results at the end of the season.”
Former United boss Louis van Gaal was critical of United's commercial obligations, claiming they were to the detriment of the football side of the club. Van Gaal warned ten Hag of his concerns before his compatriot took the job, but United's latest Dutch manager said he had not had any issues with the tour.
“It's part of football nowadays,” said ten Hag. “You have to accept it as a manager, as a team, you have to take the best out of it, and that is what we did. “I think it’s great for team spirit to be so long together, you can really improve that, develop that, you have a lot of time to work on your team, because you are so close together. That is great, I would say.
“It’s brilliant to be in great cities like Bangkok, Melbourne, Perth. There are disadvantages, it is clear, but you have to deal with certain things that are decided when you don’t have influence on. When you have influence it’s only on game – that is our focus point.”
Ahead of tomorrow's game against Aston Villa in Perth, Ten Hag said: “We have the intention to play brilliant football, but there is only one thing, we have an opponent every time – and they don’t co-operate.
"So first it’s about our philosophy - we want to play pro-active football, attacking football. I know the opponent for tomorrow will be tough – it is a great test. In that sense, Perth is really lucky.”
Asked if United youngsters like Charlie Savage, Alejandro Garnacho, Zidane Iqbal and Hannbal Mejbril are ready to stay with the first-team squad next season, ten Hag said: “We have to wait, if that’s the case. I think they need some development. We are working day by day on that. It will not come overnight, it will take time, patience, with young players.
“If they show they can have an impact, I am the manager who will throw them in. We have a squad here and we don’t have a lot of time, we have to be ready for August 7.
“The squad here is defined in generations - we have experienced players, but also we wanted to give some young talents the chance, while they deserved it, to be here.
“I cannot give all young players the chances they maybe deserve, because we have to construct a team, but it's good to have them in, I see them daily in training, so I get a really good impression from them, and from there on we can develop them by good plans, which is the idea.
“Not all youngsters have had minutes, because I have to set priorities, but in the future they will play an important role, I think, for building Man United. I think they do well. I also know the standards of the Premier League and European football are really high.
“It's about – are they ready to take the responsibility, to play, to contribute? Are they conscious of bad situations? That is what I have to approve. I will take my decisions. They have potential, some players, is quite clear.”
