The Dutch boss is adamant the Red Devils “need” to spend more. 2 Erik ten Hag has told Man Utd chiefs he needs more new additionsCredit: Getty 2 The Red Devils will wear their fancy new away kit, modeled after Cristiano Ronaldo above, at BrentfordCredit: Manchester United FC United fans have watched with envy, while rivals have erupted this summer. The club face Brentford tonight after their opening Premier League defeat 2-1 at Brighton last weekend. Ten Haag, whose side will wear a green third kit at Brentford, said: “It’s much better to get the players in earlier because then you get them earlier in the process and now we’re in the midfield and attacking department. we saw, when we have an injury then we have a problem. That much is clear.” Asked if they needed to strengthen before the transfer deadline, he said: “They have to.” United have signed full-back Tyrell Malacia, centre-back Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Christian Eriksen while the club were already on their pre-season tour. They have failed to land a striker, with an embarrassing attempt to sign Marko Arnautovic, 33, from Bologna this week. They have continuously tried but failed to sign number one midfield target Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona and are in tough negotiations with Adrien Rabiot’s mother and agent Veronique to sign him despite Juventus being ready to sell. With Martial still struggling with a hamstring problem, he is left to pick one player against Brentford today who doesn’t even want to be at United in Ronaldo. CASINO SPECIAL – BEST NEW CUSTOMER SIGN-UP OFFERS However, ten Hag insists he is working as if Ronaldo is staying for the season and that the player has not told him he wants to leave. He said, “That’s not what he’s telling me.” Ten Haag has been evasive about whether Ronaldo has told him he wants to stay at Old Trafford. Ten Haag said: “So I’m dealing with the players we have and we’re planning with him for this season and we’re happy with him and we have to fit him into the team. “So he has to get to the right fitness levels to be able to do the job that we expect him to do.” Ten Haag also claims he has faith in Marcus Rashford, who missed two good chances against Brighton, and will not be going anywhere despite PSG’s apparent interest. She said: “He knows I love him, he knows I want him here, so I’ll tell him again. “He’s very important, you’ve seen it since the first day I’ve been here, I’m very happy with him, I don’t want to lose him, he’s definitely in our plans at Manchester United. “He’s already shown in the short time I’ve been here, in pre-season, what he can do. “Last week he was twice in a position to score. “It was at the right time in the right place and I know and I believe it will end in the future.” Rashford has one year left on his current contract with the club’s option to extend it by a further 12 months. They are pleased that the player is happy to stay.
