Erik ten Hag makes Man Utd transfer admission and rejects Dean Henderson claim

Erik ten Hag has admitted Manchester United ‘need’ to sign a striker in January, but added it must be the ‘right one’.

The Red Devils are light on options up front following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure last month, and Ten Hag has previously acknowledged that he will try and strengthen in that area. However, speaking ahead of their return to Premier League action on Tuesday, the Dutchman stressed the need for United to shop cleverly in the market.

“Yes, we are aware that we lose a striker and we have to get a striker in, but it has to be the right one,” he explained. “The right one needs to bring quality to the team and not just an addition to the squad. That gives you only problems, and the criteria is high here at Man United.

“Impulse can come out of our own club,” he added. “See [Alejandro] Garacho, see [Athony] Elanga and [Facundo] Pellistri, who makes a good impression on the World Cup and also in the [friendly] game against Everton and training.”

The need for United to recruit up top is also highlighted by their lack of potency in front of goal this season, and they’ve only netted 20 times from 14 Premier League matches. While acknowledging his side do need to score more goals, Ten Hag also claimed he would be more concerned if United weren’t creating the chances in the first place.

“It is a good sign that we are still fifth, but we are aware that we need to score more goals,” said the 52-year-old. “What I just expressed is that we have to improve in many other aspects of football.

“We need to be more decisive there,” he added. “But you worry when you don’t create chances. It’s clear we have to score more.”

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Ten Hag was also quizzed on Dean Henderson’s future ahead of the visit of Nottingham Forest. The United goalkeeper is on loan at the City Ground this season and therefore ineligible to play at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

Henderson has been linked with a move away from United in recent years and is seen as second choice behind David de Gea. However, when asked if the stopper would move on next summer, Ten Hag insisted no decision has been made yet regarding Henderson’s future.

“No, I wouldn’t give that decision now. He is on a loan for one season and when the season is coming to an end we will make that decision. That depends on a lot of factors.”