Absolutely: Erik Ten Hag on Manchester United’s need for a striker

Manchester United head coach Erik Ten Hag has admitted that the club needs a new striker ahead of the upcoming season of the Premier League. The Red Devils lost against Real Madrid by 2-0 at Houston in the club friendly on Wednesday.

The Dutchman feels his players could have come up with better pressing and they should have added the finishing touches to goals. Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid’s latest signing, opened the scoring for Los Blancos, scoring in the sixth minute of play.

Furthermore, Joselu was able to put the match to bed as he found the back of the net in the 89th minute. Ten Hag emphasized the need to sign a striker before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Erik Ten Hag said when asked about the need for a striker after Manchester United’s 2-0 loss (as quoted by Manchester Evening News), “Absolutely. Two things: the pressing can be better from the start and scoring goals. And I think we need more players who are capable to be in the one-on-ones.”

“We had the situations: it was (Marcus) Rashford, Scott McTominay, (Alejandro) Garnacho, you have to score. It’s always difficult to see… but we are working 24/7. We do a lot in the club, all the power to get this done.

“We never talk about players under contract with another club, we have our targets, we are 24/7, we are busy with it, with the right player to sign a contract with us.”

In fact, Manchester United suffered a huge blow after Kobbie Mainoo was forced to leave the field after an early injury. Playing with 10 men, Manchester United conceded early in the match to fall behind.

“Well, for us it was a bad start, straight injury for Kobbie Mainoo, he has to get off and then we are outnumbered and straight away concede a goal,” Ten Hag added. “Offside? Onside? It’s very difficult to see.

“But then I think we have seen again, head to head, of course Real Madrid are a very good team, very good football players but we created some very good chances. We have to be more clinical and we should score goals from those situations, I think we had a couple of them, three or four very good chances, but we didn.t

The Dutch tactician was satisfied with the team’s competitive game against a quality opposition such as Real Madrid and feels the team is moving in the right direction.

“But we stayed in the game until the last minute but conceded the second. Overall, I have seen some good stuff and from this, we know we are in the right direction against a good opponent, against a complicated system, I am happy about it.”

Manchester United will take on Dortmund on Sunday night at Allegiant Stadium.