Ten Hag confirms transfer market search
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed the areas he is still looking to strengthen, ahead of the first game of his reign, against Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Reds take on the Merseysiders at 14:00 BST in Bangkok, live on MUTV, providing a first glimpse of life under the new boss.
A 31-man squad has travelled to Thailand to open Tour 2022 and there should be an opportunity for Ten Hag to take a look at most of his players at the Rajamangala Stadium.
However, the new manager was also quizzed on the transfer market during Monday's pre-match press conference.
As is the case every close season, there has been intense speculation in the media about incoming transfers, with Tyrell Malacia unveiled as the first capture of the new era and taking his place on the flight to Asia.
"At my first press conference, I said already that definitely we are searching for players in the midfield and I think that we have a need," said Ten Hag.
"But also, in offence, we are still looking for players. We want to have the right players. We have a really good squad. We are working to develop our way of playing. If the opportunity is there [to sign players], then we will strike.”
When pressed specifically on one of the midfielders heavily linked with the club, in Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona, Erik replied: "I never talk about players who are not under contract at Manchester United, players from different clubs.
"So I cannot tell you anything about this issue."
What the manager would share was that he knows he needs a strong squad for the challenges ahead, at home and in Europe, particularly with the fixture list being affected by the winter World Cup in Qatar.
"It's going to be a long season but also a season that is quite an unusual season, due to the World Cup," he added. "So you need to be prepared for this. You need, I think, more players than in a normal season."
Ten Hag's press conference | United v Liverpool
Watch Erik's first press conference of Tour 2022, discussing Ronaldo, Maguire, transfers and the Liverpool match...
HOW TO WATCH UNITED V LIVERPOOL
MUTV is the only place to watch Tuesday’s match in Thailand LIVE, with coverage starting at 13:00 BST, ahead of kick-off at 14:00*.
MUTV viewers will also have access to the short and extended match highlights before anyone else, as well as the full match replay. So what are you waiting for? Visit MUTV now.
*MUTV live coverage is not available in Thailand due to domestic broadcast rights.