Erik ten Hag 'eyes' January signings against Man United board's wishes and more transfer rumours

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly looking to strengthen his squad with further signings in January, despite the club's board looking to the summer window instead.

According to The Athletic, United's manager is eyeing up further signings this winter, in contrast to owner Joel Glazer, chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough, who all have their minds focused on next summer's transfer window.

It is thought that Ten Hag nearly doubled the initial transfer budget during the summer window, as United's net spend grew in excess of £200million. Although a late flurry of activity saw the arrivals of Casemiro and Antony, it is now understood that the Dutchman is looking to accelerate his rebuild project.

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The report claims that Ten Hag will use the elongated Premier League fixture break to 'evaluate' his current crop of players. The January window is a notoriously difficult buying period, and United's hierarchy will be keen to ensure that they avoid overspending this winter, after what they saw as a heavier summer outlay than planned.

Elsewhere, French outlet Telefoot (via PSGTalk) claim that Benjamin Pavard turned down the chance to join United this summer.

The report states that the Reds were one of a handful of clubs, alongside Juventus, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, that were interested in signing the Bayern Munich defender. Ten Hag was keen to strengthen his options at full-back, and the 26-year-old World Cup winner was on his radar as an upgrade on current options Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Since the transfer window closed, Dalot's performances have lessened the urgency for the club to sign a right-back,