Erik ten Hag has announced his desire to sign a new Manchester United striker ahead of next season.
This season, the Red Devils are still fighting on three fronts: they are fighting for a place in the top four in the Premier League, as well as in the pursuit of glory in the FA Cup and the Europa League.
United’s quest for glory to add to the EFL Cup crown obtained earlier this year came despite a lack of offensive options.
Wout Weghorst was loaned out in January after Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract was terminated ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, and despite superb results, he is not the striker United dream of.
Ten Hag expects to change that when the business window reopens, expressing a need for such a recruit.
“Obviously everyone is different, but for a striker, the main thing is to score goals in any way, and this is far ahead of everything else,” he told Sky Sports.
“We need a striker who scores goals because we have the ability to score in the box as a team, so we need a striker to finish the match.
“We have to build a new future and we need a striker who not only scores goals, but also contributes very well to the combination of play and pressure, which is very important.”
2011 – Manchester United failed to win a major European competition, in which they were two-goal-leading for the first time since a 3-3 draw with Basel in September 2011. Weak. pic.twitter.com/GG167VuDXQ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 13, 2023
While recruiting a new striker is clearly a priority in the upcoming transfer window, United will have to look inward to make the difference before the end of the season.
After dropping a two-goal lead on Thursday and drawing 2-2 against Sevilla in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-final, Ten Hag wants his side to be more ruthless.
“First, it has to come from the development of the team, so we understand that when we dominate the game, we have to kill the game,” he added.
“We did not do this and let the opponent go in a draw. It wasn’t good, it’s a bad habit that we need to get rid of.
“We demand from the players, and the players demand from each other.
“You always do your job 100 percent, there are no ifs, buts or maybes, you have to show results under any circumstances.”
On Sunday, United visit Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.