Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, has openly expressed his concerns about the team's strength and depth. He has urged the club's hierarchy to bring in new signings as he anticipates a challenging season ahead.
Ten Hag believes that Manchester United’s squad requires more depth to compete effectively in the upcoming season. The manager warned that it would be a “survival of the fittest” scenario given an even more demanding schedule due to additional games in the reformatted Europa League.
Despite already signing France Under-21 centre-back Leny Yoro and Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee for a combined £95.3 million, Ten Hag insists on further reinforcements. The club is reportedly looking for another central defender and forward, a holding midfielder, and full-backs.
Injury crisis and internal review
Last season saw Ten Hag’s squad severely affected by an injury crisis which prompted an internal review led by Gary O’Driscoll - United’s new head of sports medicine who took over last September. The aim is to ensure that there are enough players available to cope with any potential injuries or fitness issues during what promises to be a gruelling season.
Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag, said:
“We already had two very good buys, so when everyone is fit we have a team who can beat everyone. But the squad depth we have to catch up because we had injuries, we are vulnerable and we have to avoid this first by getting less injuries and second our squad has to be that good in the depth.
“The quality we have in [terms of] depth we have to catch up but even more because this season will be the survival of the fittest.”
Potential new signings
United have shown interest in Everton and England defender Jarrad Branthwaite or Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich as potential additions to their defence line-up. Talks are also underway with Paris St Germain over Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
Erik ten Hag added:
“We are looking in all of the positions to reinforce but we need a plan in our squad to reassure ourselves that we are always occupied in the positions, I think we are occupied [in the centre-half position] but we work continually and the good thing is we already signed two players but it belongs to a club like Manchester United that you are looking – if the opportunity is there – for better and we still have time, until [the transfer window closes on] August 30.”
In addition, Brentford and England striker Ivan Toney have caught their eye while they're also considering bringing in another right-back if they can offload Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Options include Bayern’s Noussair Mazraoui or Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. The search extends towards finding a left-back as well, given the long-term injury of Tyrell Malacia and concerns over Luke Shaw’s fitness.
Changes in the backroom team
United's backroom team has seen significant changes with Andreas Georgson, Arsenal’s former set-piece coach, joining Ten Hag's team. Additionally, United physios Robin Sadler, Richard Merron and John Davin have all left the club over the past six months. These changes are part of a broader strategy led by O’Driscoll who also brought in a new head physio Jordan Reece from Arsenal.
Ten Hag emphasized not only on squad strength but also on players' lifestyle choices. He warned that injuries “will happen” again if players do not live their lives properly. Marcus Rashford’s lifestyle was under scrutiny last term after a disappointing season where he managed just eight goals – his worst performance to date.
Erik ten Hag is pushing for more signings to bolster Manchester United's squad depth while emphasizing player discipline and lifestyle choices as key factors for success in what he predicts will be a challenging 'survival of the fittest' season.
