As Manchester United’s 2022 summer transfer window draws to a close, Erik ten Hag has provided his honest assessment of it.
United’s window got off to a slow start, with only one signing, Tyrell Malacia, happening during the opening weeks.
Malacia was later followed by Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, and as the Premier League season kicked off, these three were the new squad editions.
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After a disastrous opening two fixtures, Manchester United added Casemiro to their ranks, and the signings of Martin Dubravka and Antony have seemingly rounded off United’s transfer activity this summer barring exceptional circumstances.
Speaking about his assessment of the window during his press conference, Erik ten Hag said: “I think we’ve strengthened the squad, clear. As a manager you want always more.
“What I demand from my players, I have to show it myself as well. You want to always maximise. But at a certain point you have also to be satisfied with what is there and it’s also then about development.
“Development of the team, development of the individuals to get this team stronger, to get the team more consistency. To bring more quality and that is what we have to work for now: me, together with my coaches and of course togetherness with the team.”
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When questioned on if he feels any extra pressure due to already being familiar with several of his signings, he answered simply: “No.
“So you analyse the squad with a clear vision but we were on one page. From the first talks I had with the club, they also saw the same.
“They saw the same, in which positions we definitely had to strengthen the squad. I’m happy that in those positions, we analysed the squad, we succeeded to fill in those positions with quality players.”
It was then posed to the Dutchman if he thinks he has acquired every target he wanted apart from Frenkie de Jong.
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“Such a process, we had more options in several positions,” Ten Hag replied.
“We are really happy with the players who we brought in. They’ve given us a good feeling, quality-wise in football but also as persons. They suit Manchester and Manchester United.”
Manchester United went close to their record signing this summer, with Antony joining for a fee of around £85 million.
When asked if Antony’s purchase will create extra demands for wingers Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, Ten Hag said: “It’s good in the first place that there is competition. That is I think very natural. In a top club, this situation has to be there to push players, persons to the highest levels.
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“I’m sure they’re happy with that as well. As I said before, we need players. You cannot cover all the games with every time playing the same players. You have to manage that physically but also you can play it from game to game.
“What do you need in certain games? Which players do you have to play to keep them fit and also to keep them in shape? Now we have that opportunity to choose and I’m lucky that we have that situation, that we created that situation so well done, I would say.”
Manchester United will take on Leicester City on Thursday evening amid transfer deadline day.
Featured Image Credit: Manchester UnitedTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Erik Ten Hag, Antony