Erik ten Hag has got a number of the targets he was hoping for this summer at , but the club’s board were unwilling to make a move for ’s Hakim Ziyech.
It appears to have been a good transfer window for the Red Devils, who have brought in , , Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen, while also loaning in Martin Dubravka.
All players Ten Hag requested, he wanted more signings, but is pleased with the new arrivals he has welcomed to Old Trafford.
One of the other names the Dutchman had floated as a possible signing is Ziyech, but he didn’t get what he wanted, with the United board vetoing a move for the Moroccan, according to the
Ten Hag had seen Ziyech as a back-up option up front, but the Old Trafford hierarchy were not convinced he was the man for the job.
The Morocco international worked with Ten Hag at Ajax, as did Antony and Martinez, so the United boss knows what he would bring to his developing squad.
However, the winger has not been very impressive since joining Chelsea from the Dutch side, struggling to hold down a place in the starting XI and scoring just six league goals in two seasons.
Ziyech has made just two appearances so far this campaign and had been linked with a move to AC Milan before the transfer window closed, but nothing materialised.
Ten Hag admitted that he would have liked more business done at Old Trafford this summer, but is happy with the squad he has.
‘I think we’ve strengthened the squad, that is clear,’ Ten Hag said ahead of United’s win over Leicester on Thursday. ‘As a manager, you always want more. What I demand from my players, I have to show myself as well. You always want to maximise but at a certain point you also have to be satisfied with what is there.
‘I analysed the squad with a clear vision but we were on one page from the first talks I had with the club. They also saw the same – which positions we definitely had to strengthen. I am happy in those positions, we analysed the squad and succeeded in filling in with quality players.’
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