Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag sends transfer message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe as third deal nears

Erik ten Hag has made it clear to Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he wants more signings before the end of the summer. Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro are already bedding in after completing their moves but Ten Hag has suggested that the Red Devils aren’t done yet.

And that’s just as well, with Bayern Munich right-back Noussair Mazraoui seemingly edging towards a switch to the Premier League. West Ham were in advanced talks to sign the Moroccan, but with their deal falling flat at the last minute, United are reportedly trying to swoop in.

Mazraoui’s Bayern team-mate, defender Matthijs De Ligt, has also been heavily linked with a move that would see him join up with his former Ajax boss.

“We are looking in all the positions to reinforce,” Ten Hag explained during a press conference on Friday. “We need a plan with the squad to make sure we’re occupied in every area. I want the squad as strong as possible. We already made two very good buys, so when everyone is fit, we have a team that can beat everyone.

“We are working continually. It’s a good thing we already signed two players, but it belongs to a club like United to look if an opportunity is there. There is time until 31 August.”

Sir Jim has overseen the introduction of a brand new recruitment department at Old Trafford. Dan Ashworth is in place as sporting director, Jason Wilcox has assumed the role of technical director, and Christopher Vivell heads up scouting and transfers.

Fans will hope their arrivals will spark a better transfer hit rate than the club has managed in recent years. Ten Hag’s job was hanging by a thread at the end of 2023/24, with a superb FA Cup final win over Manchester City helping to save his skin.

Senior United figures reportedly interviewed a selection of managers over the summer before deciding to stick with Ten Hag. The Dutchman now has his sights set firmly on the future, and his third campaign at the helm.

“We are now in a new season, we left everything behind,” he said. “We are looking forward great project, process is nice, now we are very energised, good dynamic, good spirit, we want to work and we want to win. More than any other season, this will be survival of the fittest.”