Man Utd transfers: Erik ten Hag responds to ‘false’ reports that most of his squad are up for sale in the summer | football news

Reports claim that most of Man Utd’s squad is up for sale this summer; Erik ten Hag has called those reports a “joke” and “false”; Ten Hag was coy about Jadon Sancho’s future but insists transfer targets will still want to play for the club even without Champions League football.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has branded reports that most of his squad is for sale a “joke” and “untrue” as he claims he has “a base in his squad that is very good”.

Media reports this week claimed the majority of United’s squad is for sale this summer, a list which includes striker Marcus Rashford, as Ten Hag’s side undergo a first summer transfer window under new investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group.

Speaking ahead of United Monday night football In the match against Crystal Palace, Ten Hag responded to the rumours, although he admits that improvements need to be made to the team this summer.

Responding to the rumours, Ten Hag said: “It’s a joke! While I worked here, every summer, 200 players are interested in Manchester United, which is not true. We have done some research.

“Every summer we sell all the players on our squad. Which is not true. Stay calm and take responsibility when a starter like that appears. It’s totally bullshit.”

When asked what needs to be done this summer, the Dutchman replied: “There is always a lot of work. It is normal that when you enter a transfer window, those injuries (the ones United have had this season) have had a big impact.” .

“We are still below the expectations that Manchester United has. So we have to catch up.

“Now I’m in my fifth window, two windows were good, two windows we lost. We have to make further improvements in the summer. There is a base in this team that is very good. Injuries had a big impact on our season. “

Ten Hag on Sancho: He has great value for Man Utd

Rumors also circulated about the future of Jadon Sancho, who impressed in Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

Sancho was banned from Ten Hag at the start of this season for disciplinary reasons before returning to former club Dortmund in the January transfer window.

In the 1-0 win against PSG, Sancho won the man of the match award and almost finished with a hat-trick of assists, leading many to wonder if the England international will return after his loan expires this summer. .

“Yesterday he played very well. He talked more about it, he is a very good player,” said Ten Hag about Sancho.

“He showed why Manchester United bought him. He showed why he represents a high value for Manchester United. That’s good, I’m happy for Jadon for his performance yesterday. Let’s see what happens in the future.”

“Many players will still want to play for Manchester United”

Dortmund’s victory over PSG means that United cannot mathematically qualify for next season’s Champions League, as the Premier League will not have a fifth place finish in the competition next season.

United now have two chances to qualify for the Europa League: through a fifth or sixth place finish in the Premier League or by winning this month’s FA Cup final against Manchester City.

Ten Hag still believes United have pulling power in the transfer market, despite not having the Champions League.

“(Missing the Champions League) will have an impact on the budget,” he said. “But I am sure that Manchester United is a very attractive team to play for, many players will be very happy and happy to play for Manchester United, I am sure.”

Neville: It is impossible for all the players to be for sale

Sky Sports’ Gary Neville:

“You know it’s not true. Mainoo is not for sale, so not all the players can be for sale, it’s impossible. There is no way Manchester United can sell their best young players: Rasmus Hojlund will not be for sale.

“Manchester United will make changes, but there is a lack of stability. There are many changes happening at the club and with that come headlines like the ones we have seen in recent days.

“I’m not surprised Ten Hag called it a joke. It doesn’t feel good at all. I can understand why, a lot of players will be under pressure and leave and potentially be sold, but I can’t believe it’s all the players or close to it. “.

What would be the ideal summer for Manchester United?

“In a way, it’s about getting all the players fit. Getting players like (Luke) Shaw and (Lisandro) Martínez back are huge losses.

“Keep the players who have promise and potential. If you look at the front line of Hojlund and (Alejandro) Garnacho, Mainoo in midfield, there is real potential there. They need another season.

“The goalkeeper has settled in the second part of the season, which will allow him to have another year.

“There are elements of ‘how do Manchester United sign the best players in the world?’, which is not going to happen at the moment.

“But by hiring two or three really good characters to support the experienced players, then letting the young players grow another year and trying to keep people fit as well.

“They are not going to win the title next year, Ten Hag has already said that, but they have to get back into the top four, look like they are progressing and improve their performance levels.”

“The immediate challenge for Manchester United is to think about how they can get closer to Manchester City in that (FA Cup) final and be in the game with 10 or 15 minutes left to potentially win the FA Cup this season. I would continue being a very good season to win a trophy”.

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