MY ACCOUNT
Erik ten Hag has made his desire to sign a new striker for Manchester United ahead of next season clear.
The Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts this season as they battle to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, as well as chasing glory in the FA Cup and Europa League.
United’s pursuit of glory to add to the EFL Cup crown secured earlier this year has come despite a lack of central options in attack.
Wout Weghorst was signed on loan in January following the termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract before the World Cup in Qatar and, while performing admirably, is not the calibre of striker United are crying out for.
Ten Hag expects to change that when the window reopens for business, expressing the need for such a recruit.
“Everyone is different, obviously, but for a striker the main thing is to score goals by any method, that is so far ahead of anything else,” he told Sky Sports.
“We need a striker who scores goals because we have ability in the team to put balls in the box, so we need a striker to finish.
“We have to build a new future and we need a striker who not only scores goals but contributes by linking up play very well and pressing, which is very important.”
While recruitment of a new striker is clearly a priority for the upcoming transfer window, United will have to look within to provide the difference until the end of the season.
Having thrown away a two-goal lead on Thursday to draw 2-2 with Sevilla in the Europa League quarter-final first leg, Ten Hag is keen for his side to be more ruthless.
“First it has to come out of the development of the team, so we are aware that when we are dominant in a game, we have to kill the game,” he added.
“We didn’t do that and we let the opponent back in the tie. That was not good, it’s a bad habit we have to hammer out.
“We demand from the players and the players demand from each other.
“You do your job always to 100 per cent, there are no ifs, buts or maybes, you have to deliver the performance in every circumstance.”
United are away to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.
