Soccer

Man Utd draw up January transfer plans in hint Erik ten Hag is safe from axe

What has gone wrong at Man Utd?

Manchester United plan to bolster Erik ten Hag’s squad in the January transfer window, according to reports, pouring cold water on suggestions the Dutchman is set to be sacked. Ten Hag will look to improve his squad this winter to help United finish his second season in charge stronger than how they’ve started it.

The Red Devils have splashed north of £400million across the two summer transfer windows since he became manager last year.

And Ten Hag also moved to bring in temporary reinforcements in January to help maintain his side’s momentum in a successful maiden campaign.

Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst arrived on loan in reaction to Christian Eriksen’s long-term injury and Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive exit.

Weghorst was the latest ageing striker United recruited as a quick fix, following the likes of Ronaldo, Edinson Cavani, Odion Ighalo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Radamel Falcao across the last decade.

Ten Hag could be about to enter the same market again as he looks to support Rasmus Hojlund’s development amid a tricky start to life at United.

According to the Mail, United are willing to be active in January after their torrid start to the season, and Ten Hag is playing a central role in plans.

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READ MORE Man Utd discuss two reasons to sack Ten Hag as ‘faith lost’ after Newcastle loss[NEWS]

The 53-year-old is said to remain a significant voice in the club’s recruitment plans and contract extension talks.

An experienced striker is on the agenda for January, a profile Ten Hag wanted to bring to the club alongside Hojlund in the summer.

The report claims United aim to recruit a more seasoned second striker to share the goalscoring burden and aid Hojlund’s progress.

The 20-year-old Dane is yet to score in the Premier League since his £72m summer switch from Atalanta. All three of his goals have come in the Champions League.

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A loan is the most likely outcome, given United’s financial restrictions that forced them to sign Sofyan Amrabat on loan rather than permanently on transfer deadline day.

However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS could provide backing if their £1.3bn deal to buy 25 per cent of the club goes through before the turn of the new year.

That said, while an agreement announcement is expected as early as next week, it will take another several weeks to complete, leaving Sir Jim’s influence in January improbable.

Ten Hag will receive no opposition for his reported plans to bolster his attack, though. Marcus Rashford’s strike against Arsenal remains the sole Premier League goal from a United forward this term.

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