LOS ANGELES — Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag says he desires to spice up the depth of his squad forward of the brand new season.
United have signed Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee to switch departed pair Raphaël Varane and Anthony Martial.
And whereas Ten Hag refused to place a quantity on the brand new signings he would really like earlier than the switch deadline, he admitted the membership are enjoying “catch up” as regards to the depth of the squad.
“We want the squad to be as robust as potential,” Ten Hag mentioned at a information convention at UCLA on Friday.
“We already had an excellent two buys, so when everyone seems to be match now we have a group who can beat everybody, however with the squad depth now we have to catch up as a result of we had accidents, we’re susceptible.
“We’ve got to keep away from this by getting much less accidents and second, our squad needs to be that good. The standard now we have in depth now we have to catch up, however much more as a result of this season would be the survival of the fittest.”
Sources have advised ESPN that United are significantly specializing in centre-backs, central midfielders and full-backs.
Left-back is an space of concern with Tyrell Malacia nonetheless not match after a 12 months on the sidelines with there are doubts about the way forward for midfielder Casemiro.
“We’re trying in all the positions to strengthen and we’re in search of a plan in our squad to reassure ourselves we’re all the time occupied,” mentioned Ten Hag.
“We work frequently and the nice factor is we already signed two gamers and it belongs to a membership like Man United that you’re in search of alternatives which are higher and we nonetheless have time till [the deadline on] Aug. 30.
“The load and stress on gamers is immense, with the brand new mannequin in Europe. I simply talked about it, it is survival of the fittest.”
Ten Hag is taking cost of his third preseason tour as United supervisor after minority proprietor Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his group made the choice to stay with the Dutchman.
He needed to endure a nervous three-week wait following the FA Cup earlier than studying he would keep, however Ten Hag insists it is time to transfer on after the uncertainty.
“We at the moment are in a brand new season, we left the whole lot behind, we’re trying ahead, it is an awesome undertaking,” mentioned Ten Hag.
“The method is sweet, we go along with ups and downs and now we’re very energised, good dynamic, good spirit, trying ahead, we wish to work and we wish to win.
“I by no means suppose if I am in a robust place or weak place. I wish to collaborate. I am unable to do that alone, gamers, workers, management, everybody. I am certain we can have much more success.”
Regardless of signing a brand new contract, Ten Hag advised ESPN FC that he’s absolutely conscious of the expectations for fulfillment on the membership.
“I do know you aren’t getting persistence in soccer,” he advised ESPN’s Alexis Nunes. “It’s a must to ship and expectations round United are additionally so excessive.
“Now we’re constructing and now we have twice collected silverware. Then you may say we’re in the best route and if now you can put the successful tradition in an actual willpower to win extra, then we might be extra constant after which we are able to beat everybody within the league, however we are able to do it each third day and that’s what now we have to intention for.”
In the meantime, United have appointed Andreas Georgson as a first-team coach.
He is available in from Lillestrom, the place he was head coach, and has labored at Brentford, Arsenal and Southampton. The 42-year-old can have a concentrate on set items.
