The Red Devils boss has made his feelings perfectly clear about what the January window offers
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag doesn’t expect to bring in new signings in January as he believes “top players” don't leave their clubs mid-season.
The Red Devils have had a difficult start to the season domestically and in Europe and Ten Hag has come under pressure.
With the festive period approaching, United sit sixth in the Premier League and are on the verge of a group stage exit from the Champions League - bar a dramatic final-day turnaround.
Ten Hag's side have struggled this season (Image credit: Getty Images)
But Ten Hag dismissed rumours of new arrivals at Old Trafford.
“I don’t think [we need to bring in any new players in January] — and, if so, the approach from United should be that if you can improve your team, then you should do,” he told United We Stand.
“What we expect from every player coming to Carrington every day is for them to give their maximum, to give their best.
Ten Hag doesn't think the January market offers good value (Image credit: Getty Images)
“As a club, you have to look for improvements, so if you can find better and it’s realistic financially and with financial fair play, I think the club has to go with it.”
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Ten Hag made his feelings perfectly clear about the difficulties that clubs face in trying to find value in the January window.
“Realistically, in relation to the market, most of the time you don’t attract the best players in the winter,” he said.
“The top, top players will not leave their clubs in the winter. It’s players who are disappointed, injured or just not the right fit or whatever.
“We have to develop and progress this team. In reality, we go to the next summer window and there will be new players coming in.”
United made seven signings over the summer, including the captures of Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.
Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.
