Erik Ten Hag Credits Manchester United’s Management For Proactive Transfer Moves

Manchester United are on the front foot in the transfer market thanks to the club’s management making quick and decisive moves to secure new players early, manager Erik ten Hag said after the signing of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee.

Since British billionaire and INEOS chairman, Jim Ratcliffe took the reins of football operations at Old Trafford by acquiring a 25% stake in February, Manchester United has experienced not only a shift in its management but also the introduction of fresh ideas.

On Thursday, Manchester United signed French defender, Yoro to a five-year contract for a fee of 62 million euros.

The teenager had attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Real Madrid, before making his move to Manchester

Another important signing for Manchester United was striker Zirkzee, who enjoyed an impressive season with Serie A club Bologna and represented the Netherlands in the European Championship.

The club acquired the 23-year-old for 42.5 million euros on a five-year deal.

“It is very good that we are also there on the front foot, we are very proactive,” Ten Hag said on Saturday.

“So, (the) leadership is doing a great job at this moment and that’s how we want to act as United.”

“We are highly ambitious and you have to be on the front foot and be ready for the season. The earlier you get your players in then (the faster) you can work on your team.”

Yoro made a strong impression in his United debut during their 2-0 pre-season friendly win over Scottish side Rangers on Saturday, while Zirkzee, who has been given time off after the European Championship, is expected to join the squad in August.

Erik ten Hag and Leny Yoro

United still long way from winning PL and CL trophies

Current Austria boss, Rangnick stated more than two years ago that the “attitude and energy” at Old Trafford had to change and Ten Hag has reflected on the comments made by his predecessor in a wide-ranging interview with Dutch newspaper AD Sportwereld.

“Rangnick was right. We’ve been working very hard on that for two years, but he said it just right,” Ten Hag said, having won the Carabao Cup and FA Cup during his two seasons in charge amid intense speculation over his job.

“Our standards still need to go up.

“I knew when I started that it was going to be a tough job. There are a lot of people who have advised me. Louis van Gaal too.

“We want this club back to where it was more than a decade ago, to a club that wins the Premier League, which can win Champions Leagues. We are a long way away from that, I think.

“I think we’ve taken steps since then, otherwise we wouldn’t have won two prizes, but we are not yet so far that a ‘winning culture’ already prevails here in all respects.

“Our standards, our norms and values, still need to go up. I was not shocked (by what I inherited). But the culture and the mentality were not good. To win, to achieve top performance every week, we had to change a lot.”

Ten Hag on Jadon Sancho

Ten Hag also addressed the situation regarding Jadon Sancho, who has been reintegrated into the first-team squad and played in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly victory against Rangers.

Jadon Sancho and Erik ten Hag against Rangers

“We spoke well. Everyone can make a mistake,” Ten Hag said.

“This club needs good players, and one thing is certain: Jadon Sancho is a very good player. I hope that we will still click and that he will contribute to our success.”