Erik ten Hag says Man United January signing needs to meet “financial criteria” as club forced to look at loan market

Erik ten Hag has spoken about Manchester United’s potential action in the January transfer market, detailing the need for any signing to meet the “financial criteria” of the club.

United overspent in the summer after signing Casemiro and Antony in the latter stages of the window for over £140 million.

With Cristiano Ronaldo’s November exit leaving The Reds with minimal options at centre-forward, the need for an addition is strong. Cody Gakpo was of interest to Ten Hag but has moved to rivals Liverpool.

Multiple reports have explained that United are now strictly looking into the loan market next month.

“We have a squad, we have players who are matching our criteria but with all the games that are coming, it is a tough competition,” Ten Hag said. “We want to be also playing in all of the competitions by winning in games and cups as well.

“So you need players, you need numbers to cover, so we need good players, not only numbers, you need quality players to cover that.

“You need also competition [so] that you can make technical choices, so we are looking for the right player for our squad and that has to match the sporting criteria but also the financial criteria.”

Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid is one player who could be on offer, however, a reported loan price of a total £16 million is putting United off the Portuguese talent.

The idea of Ten Hag being unable to strengthen his team next month is a grim one but with the limited amount of players available mid-season, it could mean that United are relying on the fitness of Anthony Martial for the rest of the campaign.