Erik ten Hag sends transfer message to Man Utd owners amid takeover uncertainty

Erik ten Hag has explained the importance of Manchester United having a good transfer window this summer and has said it could determine whether the club can challenge for the Premier League title in 2023/24.

The Red Devils recorded a 4-1 victory over Chelsea on Thursday that ensured they will finish in the top four this season, with Ten Hag ultimately hoping his side can battle for top spot next season. But the Dutchman said United ‘need more’ if they are to compete for the title against Manchester City and the rest of England’s elite sides.

That is something Ten Hag cannot be certain will happen this summer given the uncertainty surrounding the sale of the club, with little news emerging on the next steps in the takeover process. As a result, it’s almost impossible for United to make definitive transfer plans at present.

But speaking after the win against Chelsea, Ten Hag underlined that key additions are needed in the summer window. Asked if United could challenge for the title next season, the former Ajax boss replied: “It is difficult to say in this moment, you have to see how you come out of the transfer window but I think we need more.

“I don’t have so many patience. That is one of my mistakes. We want to win every game. It’s a good base [the top four] to build on, but the standards have to go up, the demands have to rise. We have to work in the summer with this squad, but also in the window see if you can strengthen the squad.

“We want to compete for the title but you have to be realistic and can first say when you have your squad in the end of the transfer window and the winter transfer window what you can do,” Ten Hag added.

“The squad is there and you can make a statement about if it [a title battle] is realistic or not. Now we are far away so we have a lot of work to do. We make progress in this team in this squad but we need better players if we want to compete for the highest.”