Erik ten Hag ‘hasn’t been helped’ by Man Utd chiefs as they drag their feet in transfer market, says Louis Saha
MANCHESTER UNITED cult hero Louis Saha believes Erik ten Hag will be frustrated by the club’s lack of signings this summer.
The Red Devils have failed to bring in his top targets in Frenkie de Jong and Antony, with the club paying the price against Brighton on Sunday.
United looked well of the pace in their 2-1 defeat against the Seagulls on Sunday in their Premier League opener.
Once again United were bossed in midfield with Fred and Scott McTominay failing to take control of the game.
Ten Hag had hoped to have brought in Barcelona ace De Jong already, but the Dutchman now looks set to link up with Chelsea.
Instead, United, who have only signed Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez, look to be settling for Adrien Rabiot having agreed a £15million transfer fee with Juventus.
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The ex-Ajax boss also wants to be reunited with winger Antony at the Theatre of Dreams, but United are refusing to meet his £68million asking price.
And it was clear why Ten Hag is desperate to land the Brazilian forward with United toothless in attack in the final third against Brighton.
Speaking exclusively to SunSport on behalf of TPP-ThePuntersPage, Saha has stated that Ten Hag “hasn’t been helped” by United chiefs this summer.
The 44-year-old said: “I think he could be frustrated, but I think they’ve tried a lot to bring in who he wants.
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“I think the calibre of player they’re looking for to add to the squad has been difficult because they haven’t been available straight away.
“It hasn’t helped at all that there are deals or rumours are dragging along, and it does bring a lack of confidence in some parts.
“It brings power to the player being linked because they can see that other players aren’t being linked, so their agents will see and use that with the negotiations which doesn’t make it easy.
“It has an impact and the news about your own star player doesn’t help as well in terms of bringing targets in.
“All these things come together and add to the frustration for the new manager because he wants to start his own era.
“He wants to build something, so I can understand how frustrating it is.
“If you look at the situation and everyone at the club, two or three months ago there was a lot of positivity and people looking forward to change.
“From that point, you hope that everyone will be on board because everyone would benefit from the situation.
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“The speculation hasn’t been good on the group I don’t think, so Erik ten Hag has had some difficulties to overcome.
“But I think he deserves credit because he’s done well with getting his message across and I’m sure the results will follow, but he hasn’t been helped as much as he could be.”