Erik ten Hag insists there is no need to "panic" over Manchester United's lack of transfer activity with less than three weeks to go before the European window to sign players closes.
Though Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen have been added to the squad, negotiations to bring in No 1 target Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona are at an impasse. While Barca are keen to sell the Netherlands midfielder , the player wants to stay and is thought to be unwilling to move to Old Trafford.
A deal for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot is close, according to reports in Italy, while Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech is also a target. However, a move for Bologna forward Marko Arnautovic looks to be dead following criticism from United fans.
“When Manchester United is not performing, not winning, that’s normal,” Ten Hag said when asked if the concern on fans’ message boards was shared inside United.
“I would be more in panic when there wasn’t panic because we have to win. That is the demand. Still, I would say panic isn’t the right word. It’s more like, ‘come on, we have to act’. We have to think bright and do the right things.
“Once again it would be my preference [if] we could be starting the process earlier, that’s quite clear but at the end of the day the season is long and you have to get in the right players,” he added.
“It’s really complicated but I think we are really happy with what we have done until now.”
The Dutchman also expressed confidence he would have the squad he needed by the time the window shuts, saying: “We have to. I am convinced we will have.”
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England. All photos: Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo, Scott McTominay of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England.
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England.
Christian Eriksen of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England.
Raphael Varane of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England.
Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Christian Eriksen, Cristiano Ronaldo, Shola Shoretire, Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground in Manchester, England.
Ten Hag admits United remain short in midfield and attack. They head to Brentford on Saturday with Anthony Martial out injured and Cristiano Ronaldo lacking fitness and, potentially, out of favour after only starting on the bench for last week's 2-1 Premier League home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion.
“In the department of midfield and offence you have seen when we have one injury then we have a problem,” Ten Hag said. “That’s clear.”
United cannot afford to lose any more attacking players and Ten Hag took issue with the idea that Ronaldo wanted to leave the club due to the lack of Champions League football this term.
“That is your assumption,” he said. “That is not what he is telling me.
“We plan with him for this season and we are happy with him and we have to fit him into the team so he has to come at the right fitness levels so that he can do the job that we expect him to do.”
Man United v Brighton ratings MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 5 - Busy from the start. Needlessly gave possession back to Brighton on 16 minutes and could have done better for the second. And all this against a side who had lost 12 and drawn two of their previous 14 games at Old Trafford.
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Diogo Dalot 5 - Lost the ball for the first time after 8 seconds, which led to Brighton’s first chance as United conceded another goal from a cross and cut back. Balls played inside him and he doesn’t look comfortable defending, but he’s better in attack and his header led to United’s first goal. Shot on target after 73 minutes.
Reuters
Harry Maguire 6 - Well supported by fans inside the stadium and tried to do the same to the team he captains. Tussling with Trossard and booked for it at the start of the second half. Busied himself, but Brighton battered United in the middle in the first half.
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Lisandro Martinez 5 - Neatly beat Lallana after controlling the ball at 0-0, but welcome to the Premier League. Heavy touches. Clumsy challenge on Welbeck, who had the better of him, looked like a penalty. Shot from distance after 75 and again ten minutes later before a Dunk block.
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Luke Shaw 5 - Went with the runner but unable to stop Gross’ opener. Booked after 73. Well short of the required standard and he now has Malacia for competition.
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Fred 4 - Played in the holding midfielder role after a positive pre-season, but it wasn’t a positive afternoon for him. Set Rashford free, then gave the ball away, before winning it back, on eight minutes. Tried his luck from distance after 35. No reaction to stop Brighton’s second and brought off after 52 – he wasn’t happy.
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Scott McTominay 4 - Set up Fernandes with a fine early chance. Booked for a heavy challenge on Caicedo after 26. Overrun in midfield as Brighton busted Ten Hag’s central overload. Gave the ball away at the start of the second. Clear to see why Ten Hag wants Frenkie de Jong.
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Jadon Sancho 5 - Fine ball across the pitch to Eriksen after 23. Improved towards the end on the right, but too peripheral overall and ultimately disappointing after a bright pre-season.
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Bruno Fernandes 5 - Swept a 6th minute shot over when he should have hit the target. Poor cross on 18. Creative but too wasteful. Must do better.
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Marcus Rashford 5 - When he failed to control a ball just after half time it summed up where United are at. Shot wide after 49 and then shot – but was well saved by Sanchez on 60. Connected with a Fernandes cross on 65 but could have done better.
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Christian Eriksen 7 - Played as a false nine in the first half and should have done better with his shot after an early counter attack. Fired a 48th minute shot across goal towards Rashford. Dropped deeper and became more effective as he had the best United shot of the game after 66. He can build play well and his assist record is impressive, but it’s doubtful he should be used as the most forward player.
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SUBS: Cristiano Ronaldo 6 - On for Fred and crossed for Rashford from the right. Got in the right positions, urged the crowd on for more support. United improved with him on the pitch, but not enough to get back in the game.
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Donny van de Beek 6 - On for McTominay after 77. Lovely touch to Sancho on 82, where United found the most space.
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Anthony Elanga N/A On for Fernandes after 89.
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Tyrell Malacia N/A On for Shaw after 89.
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Alejandro Garnacho N/A On for Sancho after 89. He’s been training well.
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BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez 8 – Outside of a poorly timed mistake for the goal, Sanchez pulled off a few world class saves to keep the Seagulls in control.
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Joel Veltman 7 – Got dragged out of position from time to time but overall, utilised his physicality and had some nice reactions when in tough situations.
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Lewis Dunk 8 – Covered loose passages of play well and used his imposing size to make some really nice blocks.
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Adam Webster 8 – Grew into the game after looking nervy early on and saved Brighton on more than one occasion.
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Solly March 8 – Forced a good save for the second goal, had a cracking work ethic and was as determined as anyone on the pitch.
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Alexis Mac Allister 6 – Did well playing deeper than usual but made a big mistake that helped make it 2-1, and he probably could’ve done better with his decision making.
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Moises Caicedo 8 – Played a top through ball for the second goal and read the game beautifully with some great football IQ.
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Leandro Trossard 9 – The positional play of the Belgian was matched only by his brilliant urgency and cardio from start to finish.
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Pascal Gross 9 – Got into incredible spots on two occasions to grab the vital brace that helped Brighton to victory.
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Adam Lallana 8 – Helped to string things together and put on the performance of a composed veteran.
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Danny Welbeck 8 – Squared the ball for a nice assist, got after United’s back four at every available opportunity and was a constant thorn in his former club’s side.
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SUBS: Tariq Lamptey, N/A – Constantly hounded United down the flank and did a great job of keeping the ball for his side.
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Levi Colwill N/A – Was active and pushing the tempo during his brief cameo in the final minutes at Old Trafford.
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Enock Mwepu N/A – Was steady, controlled and calm after coming on to help steady the ship in the middle of the park.
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Deniz Undav N/A – Came on to help kill the last few seconds of the game for the visitors.
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This week also saw reports linking academy product Marcus Rashford with an exit after reports in France said his representatives had spoken to Paris Saint-Germain .
Ten Hag moved to quash transfer speculation around the 24-year-old forward's future, saying he had not spoken to the player yet "but he knows I love him, he knows I want him to be here".
“He showed already in the short time I’ve been here, in pre-season, what he can do. Also last week he was twice in a position where he could score. The team, also with his contribution, he was in the right moment in the right place and I know and I trust he will finish in the future.”
The biggest summer transfers Perr Schuurs - Ajax to Torino (£8m). AFP
Paco Alcacer - Villarreal to Sharjah (loan). Getty Images
Matheus Nunes - Sporting to Wolves (£38m). AFP
Tanguy Nianzou - Bayern Munich to Sevilla (£16.9m). AFP
Alan Virginius - Sochaux to Lille (£3.8m). AFP
Thilo Kehrer - PSG to West Ham (£10.1m). Getty Images
Pervis Estupinan - Villarreal to Brighton (£15.1m). Getty Images
Destiny Udogie - Udinese to Tottenham (£15.1m). Loaned back to Udinese. Reuters
Sergio Gomez - Anderlecht to Manchester City (£11m). Photo: Manchester City
Alex Collado - Barcelona to Elche (loan). AFP
Remo Freuler - Atalanta to Nottingham Forest (£9m). AP
Marc Bartra - Real Betis to Tranbzonspor (undisclosed fee). Getty Images
Giovani Lo Celso - Tottenham to Villarreal (loan). Getty Images
Cheikhou Kouyate - Crystal Palace to Nottingham Forest (free). Getty Images
Emmanuel Dennis - Watford to Nottingham Forest (£20m). Getty Images
Nico González - Barcelona to Valencia (loan). AP Photo
Luca Pellegrini - Juventus to Eintracht Frankfurt (loan). AFP
Daniel Wass - Atletico Madrid to Brondby (£1.7m). EPA
Pablo Marí - Arsenal to Monza (loan). AP
Dries Mertens - Napoli to Galatasaray (free). AFP
Jordan Veretout - Roma to Marseille (£9.3m). Reuters
Christian Benteke - Crystal Palace to DC United (undisclosed fee). AFP
Maxwell Cornet - West Ham United to Burnley (£17.5m). PA
Georginio Wijnaldum - PSG to Roma (loan). AFP
Lucas Torreira - Arsenal to Galatasaray (£5m). AFP
Marc Cucurella - Brighton to Chelsea (£55m). Getty Images
Ademola Lookman - RB Leipzig to Atalanta (£12.6m). PA via AP
Renato Sanches - Lille to Paris Saint-Germain (£12.6m). AFP
Riqui Puig - Barcelona to LA Galaxy (free). AP Photo
Alex Telles - Manchester United to Sevilla (loan). AFP
Carney Chukwuemeka - Aston Villa to Chelsea (£20m). Reuters
Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester City to Nice (£1m). AFP
Mattia Viti - Empoli to Nice (£10.9m). AFP
Gabriel Slonina - Chicago Fire to Chelsea (£8.3m). Reuters
Bernd Leno - Arsenal to Fulham (£3m). AFP
Charles De Ketelaere - Club Brugge to AC Milan (£26.8m). AFP
Joe Rodon - Tottenham to Stade Rennais (loan). AFP
Borja Mayoral - Real Madrid to Getafe (£8.4m). EPA
Cesc Fabregas - Monaco to Como (free). EPA
Alexis Beka Beaka - Lokomotiv Moscow to Nice (£11.7m). AFP
Marcus Tavernier -Middlesbrough to Bournemouth (£10m). Getty Images
Aaron Ramsey - Juventus to Nice (free). AFP
Orel Mangala - Stuttgart to Nottingham Forest (£12.7m). AFP
David Raum - Hoffenheim to RB Leipzig (£21.8m). Getty Images
Oscar Mingueza - Barcelona to Celta Vigo (£2.5m). Getty Images
Jules Kounde - Sevilla to Barcelona (£45m). AFP
Dwight McNeil - Burnley to Everton (£20m). Getty Images
Arnaud Kalimuendo - PSG to Rennes (£21m). Getty Images
Filip Kostic - Eintracht Frankfurt to Juventus (£14.4m). EPA
Salvatore Sirigu - Genoa to Napoli (free). Reuters
Mikkel Damsgaard - Sampdoria to Brentford (£12.7m). EPA
Malang Sarr - Chelsea to Monaco (loan). AFP
Issa Diop - West Ham United to Fulham (£15m). Getty Images
Alexis Sanchez - Internazionale to Marseille (free). Getty Images
Timo Werner - Chelsea to RB Leipzig (£18m). AP
Amadou Onana - Llle to Everton (£33.8m). AFP
Emirhan Ilkhan - Besiktas to Torino (£3.8m). PA
Gonçalo Guedes - Valencia to Wolves (£27.5m). AP Photo
Conor Coady - Wolves to Everton (loan). Getty Images
Anthony Modeste - Cologne to Borussia Dortmund (£3.8m). EPA
Angeliño - RB Leipzig to Hoffenheim (loan). Getty Images
Marcos Senesi - Feyenoord to Bournemouth (£12.6m). AFP
Isco - Real Madrid to Sevilla (free). EPA
Raheem Sterling - Manchester City to Chelsea (£50m). Getty Images
Lisandro Martinez - Ajax to Manchester United (£46m). Getty Images
Robert Lewandowski - Bayern Munich to Barcelona (£38.3m). AFP
Hugo Ekitike - Reims to Paris Saint-Germain (loan). AFP
Thomas Henry - Venezia to Verona (£3.8m). Getty Images
Takefusa Kubo - Real Madrid to Real Sociedad (£5.2m). Getty Images
Kalidou Koulibaly - Napoli to Chelsea (£33.8m). EPA
Chancel Mbemba - Porto to Marseille (free). EPA
Breel Embolo - Borussa Monchengladbach to Monaco (£10.6m). EPA
Christian Eriksen - Brentford to Manchester United (free). PA
Raphinha - Leeds United to Barcelona (£49m). Getty Images
Federico Bernardeschi - Juventus to Toronto FC (free). Getty Images
Andrea Cambiaso - Genoa to Juventus (£5.9m). Getty Images
Arturo Vidal - Inter Milan to Flamengo (free). Getty Images
Mohamed Bayo - Clermont to Lille (£11.8m). AFP
Francisco Trincao - Barcelona to Sporting (loan). Getty Images
Samu Castillejo - AC Milan to Valencia (undisclosed fee). PA
Lewis Ferguson - Aberdeen to Bologna (£3m). PA
Keane Lewis-Potter - Hull City to Brentford (£16m). PA
Alessio Romagnoli - AC Milan to Lazio (free). Getty Images
Nathan Collins - Burnley to Wolves (£20.5m). PA
Andriy Yarmolenko - West Ham United to Al Ain (free). AP Photo
David Ospina - Napoli to Al Nassr (free). Getty Images
Kristian Thorstvedt - Genk to Sassuolo (£8.4m). Reuters
Andreas Pereira -Manchester United to Fulham ( £10m). Getty Images
Gabriel Jesus - Manchester City to Arsenal (£45m). Getty Images
Steven Bergwijn - Tottenham Hotspur to Ajax (£26.5m). AP Photo
Andreas Christensen - Chelsea to Barcelona (free). AFP
Sébastien Haller - Ajax to Borussia Dortmund (£30.8m). AFP
Flynn Downes - Swansea City to West Ham United (£12m). PA
Junior Messias - Crotone to AC Milan (£3.8m). Reuters
Luis Sinisterra - Feyenoord to Leeds United (£21.3m). AFP
Brais Méndez - Celta Vigo to Real Sociedad (£12.8m). Getty Images
Moussa Niakhaté - Mainz to Nottingham Forest (£8.7m). Getty Images
Romeo Lavia - Manchester City to Southmpton (£12m). AP Photo
Tyler Adams - RB Leipzig to Leeds United (£20m). AP
Axel Witsel - Borussia Dortmund to Atletico Madrid (free). EPA
Maya Yoshida - Sampdoria to Schalke (free). AP Photo
Tyrell Malacia - Feyenoord to Manchester United (£12.9m). AP Photo
Zeki Celik - Lille to Roma (£6m). AFP
Ritsu Doan - PSV Eindhoven to Freiburg (£6.5m). AFP
Divock Origi - Liverpool to AC Milan (free). AFP
Rolando Mandragora - Torino to Fiorentina (£7m). EPA
Joao Palhinha - Sporting to Fulham (£17m). Getty Images
Franck Kessie - AC Milan to Barcelona (free). Getty Images
Trezeguet - Aston Villa to Trabzonspor (£3.4m). AFP
Kalvin Phillips - Leeds United to Manchester City (£45m). Reuters
Giulian Biancone - Troyes to Nottingham Forest (£5m). AFP
Giuliano Simeone - Atletico Madrid to Real Zaragoza (loan). EPA
Raoul Bellanova - Cagliari to Inter Milan (loan). Getty Images
Richarlison - Everton to Tottenham (£50 million). PA
Fabio Carvalho - Fulham to Liverpool (£5 million). PA
James Tarkowski Burnley to Everton (free). Getty Images
Sime Vrsaljko - Atletico Madrid to Olympiakos (free). AP Photo
Dean Henderson - Manchester United to Nottingham Forest (loan). PA
Luuk de Jong - Sevilla to PSV Eindhoven (£3.4m). AP Photo
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - Roma to Inter Milan (free). Reuters
Cenk Tosun - Everton to Besiktas (free). Reuters
Andre Onana - Ajax to Inter Milan (free). Getty
Moussa Sissoko - Watford to Nantes (£2m). AFP
Corentin Tolisso - Bayern Munich to Lyon (free). AFP
Vitinha - Porto to Paris Saint-Germain (£34m). AFP
Romelu Lukaku - Chelsea to Inter Milan (loan). PA
Lorenzo Insigne - Napoli to Toronto FC (free). AP
Sven Botman - Lille to Newcastle United (£31.9m). AFP
Takumi Minamino - Liverpool to Monaco (£15.5m). Getty Images
Alphonse Areola - Paris Saint-Germain to West Ham United (£7.8m). AFP
Lucas Leiva - Lazio to Gremo (free). Getty Images
Joselu - Alaves to Espanyol (free). Getty Images
Matt Turner - New England Revolution to Arsenal (£4.7m). Reuters
Fernandinho - Manchester City to Athletico Paranaense (free). PA
Bartol Franjic - Dinamo Zagreb to Wolfsburg (£6.9m). Getty Images
Wahbi Khazri - Saint-Etienne to Montpellier (free). AFP
Tobias Figueiredo - Hull City to Nottingham Forest (free). PA
Pietro Pellegri - Monaco to Tornio (£3.9m). Getty Images
Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund to Manchester City. Getty Images
Malcolm Ebiowei - Derby County to Crystal Palace (undisclosed). PA
Taiwo Awoniyi - Union Berlin to Nottingham Forest (£17m). Getty Images
Gareth Bale - Real Madrid to Los Angeles FC (free). PA
Lucas Alario - Bayer Leverkusen to Eintracht Frankfurt (£5.6m). PA
Sadio Mane - Liverpool to Bayern Munich (£28m). Getty Images
Armindo Sieb - Bayern Munich to Greuther Fürth (undisclosed fee). Getty Images
Nick Pope - Burnley to Newcastle (£10m). PA
Ki-Jana Hoever - Wolves to PSV Eindhoven (loan). PA
Ryan Fredericks - West Ham United to Bournemouth (free). Getty Images
Mario Götze - PSV Eindhoven to Eintracht Frankfurt (£3.4m). Getty Images
Fabio Vieira - Porto to Arsenal (£30m). EPA
Antonio Rudiger - Chelsea to Real Madrid (free). PA
Merih Demiral - Juventus to Atalanta (£17.2m). AFP
Giovanni Simeone - Cagliari to Hellas Verona (£10.3m). AP
Marc Roca - Bayern Munich to Leeds United (£10m). PA
Yves Bissouma - Brighton to Tottenham (£25m). PA
Gavin Bazunu - Manchester City to Southampton (£12m). PA
Darwin Nunez - Benfica to Liverpool (£64.3m). PA
Aurelien Tchouameni - Monaco to Real Madrid (£85.3m). AFP
Nemanja Matic - Manchester United to Roma (free). EPA
Ryan Gravenberch - Ajax to Bayern Munich (£20m). EPA
Giorgio Chiellini - Juventus to Los Angeles FC (released). Getty Images
Cameron Carter-Vickers - Tottenham to Celtic (£6m). AFP
Alexandre Lacazette - Arsenal to Lyon (free transfer). AFP
Updated: August 13, 2022, 6:32 AM