Erik ten Hag says two positions have cost Manchester United and makes transfer recommendation

Erik ten Hag says a lack of options up front and at left-back have cost Manchester United this season (MUTV)

Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to sign a new striker this summer and believes two positions have let the team down this season.

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League and are 11 points behind both Aston Villa and Tottenham, who are in the driving seat to benefit from a potential extra Champions League place.

Ten Hag’s side travel to Bournemouth for their next Premier League fixture on Saturday and have registered just one win in their last six league games.

United have been battling with multiple injuries for the majority of the campaign and Ten Hag believes a shortage of options at left-back and up front, due to long-term fitness issues with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial, have cost his side this term.

‘You need more options. You need double positioning in every position,’ Ten Hag said.

‘In some positions we didn’t have the choices this season – the striker position, the left-back position – and that has a negative impact on the results.’

Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to sign a new striker to ease the burden on Rasmus Hojlund (AFP via Getty)

When asked if he believes United should sign a proven striker this summer, Ten Hag replied: ‘I think it would help.

‘In this plan we constructed we should have had enough goals. You count on goals from Rashy – last year he scored 30. You count on goals from Martial – I have to point out in my first season he played very well and also in very important games he had a high impact on our performances.

‘And then bringing a goalscorer like Rasmus Hojlund in, it should have been enough goals.’

Ten Hag also insists United have already finalised their plan for the summer transfer window.

‘We are working in the background on plans with scouting. We are working on our plan, the plan is ready, but it has to execute, and I trust the new ownership that they will work as quick as possible and bring new good structures and that they can execute,’ said the Dutchman.

‘We have good plans, I think also with quality players. You see now about recruitment… [Andre] Onana is doing very well, Rasmus Hojlund, everyone is seeing his big talent and potential. [Lisandro] Martinez, everyone was hugely happy with him, and there are others.

‘So the recruitment is good. But if they [new directors] have even better ideas, we are always open. If you have options but they come with better options we are open.

‘But we have a way we want to play, so we know our profiles, so it has to match the profiles we want.’

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