Erik ten Hag makes admission on Man Utd January signings as transfer deadline day approaches

Erik ten Hag has admitted he would like to make additions to his Manchester United squad before Tuesday’s transfer deadline, but hinted that looks unlikely given the club’s limited resources.

The Red Devils have made two additions on loan - Jack Butland and Wout Weghorst - in January but don’t have sufficient funds to sign anyone on a permanent basis after a summer of heavy spending. In contrast, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea parted with significant fees this month to strengthen their squads and Tottenham Hotspur are expected to bring Pedro Porro to the club in the coming days.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding United’s ownership is the driving force behind the Red Devils’ inability to make mid-season signings, an issue the club are likely to have addressed by the summer. Ten Hag previously admitted that ‘financial criteria’ will have an impact when choosing potential signings, and was asked on Friday if he’s identified areas to strengthen at the end of the season

"I have an idea,” he replied. “But in the coming days, if I had the opportunity in the coming days [to strengthen], then I would go for it, but this is not only up to me.

“I think at this club, every day, that has to be the approach. You have to get better and if there are opportunities to get better you have to strike. That is my approach and I am looking, I am looking around with research and I have an idea with the profiles and what profiles we need to strengthen this squad."

Speaking ahead of United’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Reading, Ten Hag also denied the suggestion that Harry Maguire is currently behind Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw in the pecking order for a starting berth at centre-back.

"No, he is not fifth choice, but I have to say it is up to him. He is training very well, he brings quality and that is what I expect from all the players in the squad,” explained the former Ajax manager.

“He has to fight for his position in the squad. Things can change and they can also do so sometimes really quickly. He is making progress and I think it is up to him.

“After the World Cup, he should have played but he got ill,” Ten Hag added. There is nothing I can do about that.

“He knows that and then you come in [during a good] run, and he has to wait for his chance. They are the laws of top-level football and selection. Then you have to wait for your chance and in the meantime you have to work well to prove the chance is there."