Erik ten Hag comments showed why Manchester United want Adrien Rabiot

Erik ten Hag's comments after Manchester United's defeat to Brighton have shown exactly why he wants to sign a new midfielder this transfer window.

United have been linked with a number of talented players this summer, but recently they have seemed to miss out on signing their priority targets. Frenkie de Jong, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Declan Rice and Adrien Rabiot have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford this transfer window.

Rabiot is closest to a United move right now, after the MEN reported that a fee had been agreed between United and Juventus of an initial £15million rising to £20million for the midfielder. The club now just need to agree personal terms with the player's agent and mother Veronique Rabiot.

ALSO READ: United dealt Cody Gakpo transfer blow

Despite Rabiot being on United's radar since 2019, the acceleration in interest has been clear to see following the club's disappointing start to life under Ten Hag. And it is the Dutchman's comments after the Brighton match that show exactly why they vitally need to bring in some new faces to their midfield.

"It wasn't the defending, we defend as a team, making pass mistakes unnecessarily in midfield and they take over," Ten Hag explained to MUTV. "There we needed better organisation, we give appointments and they have to do the job that you get appointed to.

"That's not what we did and we then got punished. Same with the second goal, totally unnecessary. It was a ball that lose in the corner on the other side, so it's not good that you concede a goal."

The performances from Scott McTominay and Fred rung alarm bells as they failed to have an impact on the match. The next few weeks are therefore critical if the club's hierarchy are going to equip Ten Hag