Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag makes clear transfer demand ahead of summer window

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has demanded that the club sign 'quality' forward players that can have a key impact on their fortunes next season.

In his first season in the role, Ten Hag has already won the Carabao Cup, and will add an FA Cup to his CV should United defeat rivals Manchester City at Wembley.

They can also go one step closer to finishing in the Premier League top four by defeating Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

There have been notable downsides - the humiliating 7-0 defeat at Liverpool, and the 3-0 loss at Sevilla which dumped them out of the Europa League.

However, there have also been major positives, including the Carabao Cup win and the 2-1 victory over City at Old Trafford in February.

It will not be job done until Champions League qualification is secured, though, and Ten Hag will want his side to claim FA Cup glory for the first time since 2016 as well.

They will need their forward players to fire against City, with top scorer Marcus Rashford hoping to add to his 29-goal seasonal tally prior to the game.

But Ten Hag is well aware that, given the relative lack of goalscoring returns from other attacking stars, United need new signings this summer.

Ten Hag makes Man Utd transfer demand

Behind Rashford in second place on United's top goalscorer list this season is midfielder Bruno Fernandes, who has 10 goals, including penalties, to his name.

Winger Antony has eight goals in 38 appearances, with Anthony Martial on seven goals in 22 games. Whilst Martial's return is impressive, he has struggled with fitness issues throughout the season.

Jadon Sancho netted his sixth goal of the season in 33 games during Thursday's 2-2 draw with Tottenham, with January signing Wout Weghorst on two goals in 25 appearances.

Whilst most of those numbers are solid, Ten Hag recognises that United need more if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next season - with any high-profile signing therefore being a major statement if ever there was one.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's fixture against Villa, he said (quotes via The National News): "I think everyone knows, it's not a secret, that over the whole season we had a shortage of No 9s.

"First we had the dropout of Cristiano Ronaldo, then Anthony Martial was often not available, Jadon Sancho was often not available. Then you have a shortage of front-line players.

"With less players we have to cover many games, so definitely we need front-line players who strengthen the squad."

Ten Hag continued, in response to a separate question: "We have players who can play in that [No 9] role but definitely we need some offensive players who are really impact players, quality players, who improve the front line."