Erik ten Hag says there is work to be done in the transfer market if Manchester United are to be competitive in the Premier League next season.
The Red Devils have fallen short of expectations this season, but could still salvage the campaign with an FA Cup final triumph over rivals Manchester City.
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For now though, Ten Hag is looking ahead to the final four games in the top flight, starting with a trip to Crystal Palace on Monday night.
United spent over £150million on Rasmus Hojlund, Andre Onana and Mason Mount in the summer but will end the campaign lower down the table than they did in 2022-23.
And Ten Hag is expecting a busy few months off the pitch, if he remains at Carrington.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: “[There’s] always a lot of work, it’s normal when you go into a transfer window, but the injuries had a big impact.
“We know also we are still below the levels from the expectations Manchester United has so we have to catch up and I’m now going into my fifth window
“Two windows were quite OK, two we missed – so we have to make new improvements to the squad. But there is a base of this squad that is very good.”
🚨 Erik says @B_Fernandes8 is a doubt for Monday’s trip to Selhurst Park.#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 2, 2024
Jadon Sancho is one of the names that has not lived up to expectations in Ten Hag’s tenure but the England international stood out for Borussia Dortmund during their 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old had a public falling out with the ex-Ajax boss and has been shoved out of the door – albeit on loan for now – however Ten Hag is refusing to close the door on a potential reunion.
He added: “So let’s say this: yesterday he played very good and he’s a very good player.
“Yesterday he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed he represents a high value for Manchester United, which is good.
“I’m happy for Jadon, for the performance yesterday, and we’ll see what is going to happen in the future.”
🚨 Ten Hag on Sancho: “Jadon played very good, he showed why Manchester United bought him and he showed he represents a high value for the club. Which is good”.
❗️👀 “I’m happy for Jadon, for his performance yesterday and we’ll see what is going to happen in the future”. pic.twitter.com/V9uXR9jqgu
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2024
United must win at Selhurst Park to keep their hopes of finishing in the top five alive in the final few weeks.
But they may travel to South London without captain Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial.
Ten Hag gave an injury update ahead of the game, saying: “Scott [McTominay] didn’t train so far this week but I expect him back in training on Saturday and we have to see if he’s 100% available or for a part of the game.
“After the game [against Burnley], we had an issue with Bruno [Fernandes].
“He is a doubt for Monday. We all know Bruno, never rule him out for any game. He will do his best to be available.
“Jonny Evans returned today for team training. Tomorrow we are off and then two days until the game. [Anthony] Martial was partly in team training.”
