Erik ten Hag: No need for 'panic' over lack of Manchester United signings

Erik ten Hag insists there is no need to "panic" over Manchester United's lack of transfer activity with less than three weeks to go before the European window to sign players closes.

Though Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen have been added to the squad, negotiations to bring in No 1 target Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona are at an impasse. While Barca are keen to sell the Netherlands midfielder, the player wants to stay and is thought to be unwilling to move to Old Trafford.

A deal for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot is close, according to reports in Italy, while Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech is also a target. However, a move for Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic looks to be dead following criticism from United fans.

“When Manchester United is not performing, not winning, that’s normal,” Ten Hag said when asked if the concern on fans’ message boards was shared inside United.

“I would be more in panic when there wasn’t panic because we have to win. That is the demand. Still, I would say panic isn’t the right word. It’s more like, ‘come on, we have to act’. We have to think bright and do the right things.

“Once again it would be my preference [if] we could be starting the process earlier, that’s quite clear but at the end of the day the season is long and you have to get in the right players,” he added.

“It’s really complicated but I think we are really happy with what we have done until now.”

The Dutchman also expressed confidence he would have the squad he needed by the time the window shuts, saying: “We have to. I am convinced we will have.”

Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England. All photos: Getty