Man Utd Transfer Update: Erik ten Hag Hints at Midfield Changes Amid £50 Million Striker Interest

Erik ten Hag is still looking to boost his attacking ranks ahead of the Premier League season, which begins on Friday, with defensive reinforcements on their way to Old Trafford

Manchester United are only five days away from kicking off the Premier League season against Fulham at Old Trafford but Erik ten Hag remains in the market for a new centre-forward as his squad’s injury woes drag on following Saturday’s Community Shield against City.

Rasmus Hojlund is still more than a month away from returning after sustaining a hamstring injury while on the pre-season tour of the United States, while new signing Joshua Zirkzee requires time to get acclimatised.

And that means Ten Hag is looking to get another goalscorer in, with Brighton and Ireland’s Evan Ferguson the latest name to be linked. In better news, the head coach has all but confirmed that defensive reinforcements are also on the way following penalty shootout defeat at Wembley.

Ferguson bid
Manchester United are weighing up a late £50million summer swoop for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson.

Erik ten Hag’s side has been afflicted with injury to start the new season, with forward Rasmus Hojlund set to be out for six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal.

The Denmark international’s absence reinforces the need for further attacking options ahead of the new season. United recently signed Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna for £32m but Ten Hag is wary of the time required to adjust to the rigours of the English top-flight.

And an approach for the Republic of Ireland forward is very much on the Old Trafford agenda.

Double defensive boost
Erik ten Hag hopes that Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui will solve Manchester United’s “problems” in defence.

Dutch centre-back De Ligt will join United for an initial £38.6m in a successful conclusion to Ten Hag’s month-long charm offensive. In addition, the Red Devils are also preparing to welcome Morocco full-back Mazraoui – another former Ajax star – for £12.9m, with United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka leaving for West Ham in a £15m deal.

News of the deals being agreed with German giants Bayern broke just a few hours before United suffered a penalty shootout defeat to bitter rivals Manchester City in Saturday’s Community Shield fixture. During the second half, Ten Hag had to use winger Facundo Pellistri as a makeshift right-back, highlighting his lack of options in defence due to multiple injuries.

“It’s clear we have the problems,” Ten Hag admitted. “We have to work, the players have to work to be available and the staff have to work. Together it should be a good collaboration with the players who are available.”

Casemiro hint
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists he is planning for Casemiro to play a big part for his side this season.

The veteran Brazilian, who joined United two years ago from Real Madrid, has been heavily linked with the Old Trafford exit this summer.

His £50million transfer and big wages were cited as the kind of deal United’s new hierarchy wouldn’t be making by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe – comments which are understood not to have gone down well with the multi-time Champions League winner.

But Casemiro remains at the club, has played a key role in pre-season and once more started at the heart of midfield in Saturday’s Community Shield against Manchester City, which United ultimately lost on penalties.

And asked about the 32-year-old’s future after the match, Ten Hag made his feelings clear.