{"id":299620,"date":"2023-12-08T14:24:24","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T14:24:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/?p=299620"},"modified":"2023-12-08T14:24:24","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T14:24:24","slug":"erik-ten-hag-makes-transfer-priority-clear-as-man-utd-boss-singles-out-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/soccer\/erik-ten-hag-makes-transfer-priority-clear-as-man-utd-boss-singles-out-player\/","title":{"rendered":"Erik ten Hag makes transfer priority clear as Man Utd boss singles out player"},"content":{"rendered":"

Crisis? Not for us \u2013 Erik ten Hag can see Man Utd progress after Chelsea win<\/h3>\n

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has made one of his upcoming transfer priorities clear with strong praise for goal-happy Scott McTominay. Ten Hag is expected to oversee the next stage of his Old Trafford rebuild in 2024, and a defensive midfield looks to be high on his wishlist.<\/p>\n

McTominay is United’s top goalscorer this season after notching his fifth and sixth in Wednesday’s 2-1 win against Chelsea.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old’s goalscoring exploits also fired Scotland to next summer’s Euro 2024 in Germany, netting seven times.<\/p>\n

He is thriving in a more advanced role after years of operating in more defensive spaces, using his ability to arrive in the box and finishing nouse to deadly effect.<\/p>\n

And Ten Hag has suggested that he has no plans to take McTominay away from the final third ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against AFC Bournemouth.<\/p>\n

“Actually, from the first moment I saw him, he has had a very good smell to make it in the box, and he is a very good finisher,” Ten Hag explained in his press conference.<\/p>\n

“That is not a surprise to the team. When we bring it and the way we want to play and get the balls to him, he will finish.”<\/p>\n

READ MORE <\/strong> Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag’s reaction to Louis van Gaal message speaks volumes[COMMENT] <\/strong><\/p>\n

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McTominay’s new role has left Ten Hag short on defensive-midfield options, a concern eased by Kobbie Mainoo’s return from injury.<\/p>\n

The 18-year-old has shown glimpses of real promise, but the Dutchman has admitted he must manage his minutes.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Casemiro, 31, is injured and expected to depart next year. Sofyan Amrabat’s future at the club beyond his season-long loan is also unclear.<\/p>\n

United have other areas to address, including in defence and attack. However, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ten Hag target Casemiro’s long-term replacement to share the role with Mainoo next summer.<\/p>\n