Erik ten Hag has insisted that Manchester United won’t be active in the January transfer window despite a blatant need to continue reshaping his squad whenever possible. However, reports claim the Dutchman’s plans behind the scenes differ from his public stance.
January is a notoriously challenging month to recruit players who will upgrade a squad, with most clubs completing their business in the summer.
Ten Hag sanctioned emergency loans for Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst last winter but has splashed over £400million across his two summer windows as United boss.
Therefore, the Red Devils are expected to work with another tight winter budget next month amid Financial Fair Play restrictions.
In a recent interview with a United fanzine, Ten Hag admitted that while he was always open to opportunities in the market, any significant January deals were unlikely.
“I don’t think [we will spend a lot]. As a club, you have to look for improvements,” Ten Hag told United We Stand.
“So if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with Financial Fair Play, the club has to go with it. But most of the time, you don’t attract the best players in the winter.”
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Ten Hag may need to sell players to raise funds for any desired moves, but there are reportedly plans for incomings at Old Trafford.
According to Fabrizio Romano, it appears likely that United will be busy in the new year to improve the Dutchman’s troublesome second season in charge.
It’s claimed that the Red Devils have held internal talks about potential striker targets to help ease the goalscoring pressure on Rasmus Hojlund.
The report adds that a new defender could also be on the agenda amid Ten Hag’s dissatisfaction with the current balance of his centre-back options.
