CONFIRMED! – Top transfer journalist confirms Erik ten Hag hints Man United will have “five or six” new signings in January window as he names the star players

CONFIRMED! – Top transfer journalist confirms Erik ten Hag hints Man United will have “five or six” new signings in January window as he names the star players

Manchester United have been linked to a host of new signings ahead of the January transfer window and Erik ten Hag has now offered his view on the Red Devils’ squad and any potential incomings

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has claimed the return of the Red Devils’ walking wounded will be like “five or six new signings” for the club.

Ten Hag’s side have been hit with an injury crisis heading into the New Year. Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro and Amad have been suffering with long-term issues, while the likes of Luke Shaw, Sofyan Amrabat, Mason Mount and Victor Lindelof are all ruled out.

The Red Devils’ problems do not end there with major doubt over Harry Maguire’s fitness ahead of this weekend’s clash with Nottingham Forest.

While the succession of injuries has impacted Man United this term, Ten Hag remains positive and believes that the return of some of the club’s injured stars will be comparable to new signings in January.

“I think we are very optimistic,” Ten Hag said. “When the players return and now the luck is a little bit on our side in the matter of injuries then we have five or six new signings in January.”

On the topic of new arrivals, Red Devils fans have already been told to temper their expectations. The club’s director of football John Murtough has suggested that January could be a quiet month for the club’s recruitment department.

Speaking earlier this month, he said: “Looking ahead to the January transfer window, we are not expecting it to be particularly busy. There will always be the possibility of deals around the edges of the squad, particularly in terms of finding opportunities for players who are not playing as much football as they would like.

Mason Mount in Manchester United training
Mason Mount could return to contention for Man United ( Image: Getty Images)
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“However, we’ve always been consistent in saying that we do not see January as the optimal time to do business and our recruitment strategy remains focused on summer windows.

“We’ve seen this season that financial fair play (FFP) rules have real teeth, so we have to be very careful to ensure that we remain compliant, and we will. But that means being really disciplined on spending going forward, with a balance between incomings and outgoings.”

The Red Devils welcomed three new faces to Old Trafford last January but were unable to spend any money. All three of their signings – Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer and Jack Butland – all joined on loan deals.

None of them were retained on permanent deals. Man United have been linked with a few moves ahead of the January window opening.

Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy is reportedly among their prime targets. He has been in excellent form during the first-half of the season and has a €17.5million (£15.1m) release clause written into his current contract