Erik ten Hag demands Manchester United board sign his top transfer targets

Erik ten Hag insists nothing but the best will do for Manchester United in this summer’s transfer market, regardless of who the club’s owners are.

The Dutchman faces an uncertain summer with the club currently up for sale.

The Glazer family are yet to decide whether to fully sale the club, to seek partial investment or to remain in charge.

That’s despite a third round of bids being placed for the club at the end of last month.

It means the board have been unable to clarify a transfer budget with Ten Hag, given it’s unclear who will be in charge of the club.

Ten Hag wants a centre forward, a central midfielder, a right-back and a goalkeeper this summer but without the new owners in place, the Glazers are likely to be reluctant to spend any cash.

But the Dutchman insists that the club must buy his top targets if they’re to meet their goals next season and he says that must be the case, regardless of who’s in charge.

Asked about the ongoing situation with the club’s sale, Ten Hag said:

‘It’s not up to me, it is an aspect of the club that other people deal with, the owners.

‘I have to develop and to progress the team, and to of course plan. I will go for high standards, so I am planning my squad for next season in the background, with high standards. Then it is up to the others to decide if the finances are there.’

United’s win against Wolves on Saturday got the club’s top four pursuit back on track.

The Red Devils need two more wins to guarantee a Champions League spot.

The clean sheet was David De Gea’s 16th of the season, meaning he will at least share the golden glove award.

And Ten Hag says it’s proof that United are on track.

‘I think you have to see the wider perspective. We had many clean sheets, I think the most in the league,’ said Ten Hag.

‘But then we also had some bad defeats, and we are not scoring that easily. Today another [opposition] goalkeeper is Man of the Match, we do that often, we are very good at that.

‘In this moment there is no time for happiness or satisfaction – we have to work and to improve. Get the team ready but improve. That is what I demand from my players, my staff and myself.’

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