Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag gives update on Matthijs de Ligt transfer

Erik ten Hag declined to comment on the possible acquisitions of Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui, but acknowledged that his Manchester United defense was still facing challenges that needed to be addressed.

The Red Devils have been chasing defensive reinforcements this summer and have already brought in Leny Yoro, but he has suffered a foot injury which will keep him out for three months.

The hunt for more defenders has continued and has taken Manchester United to Munich, where they are now close to sealing the signatures of De Ligt and Mazraoui.

Reports on Saturday suggested a deal for the Dutch centre-back had been agreed, while the signing of Mazraoui was progressing well, but Ten Hag would not get into specifics when speaking following his side’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.

‘No, I can’t,’ Ten Hag replied when asked if he could provide an update on De Ligt and Mazraoui. ‘When we have some news, we will announce it. Until that point, we will work with the squad that is available.’

But the 54-year-old was willing to concede that his defence, which at Wembley saw Lisandro Martinez forced to play at left-back, is still a work in progress.

‘It’s clear we have the problems (in defence) and we have to work,’ Ten Hag added.

‘The players have to work to be available and the staff have to work. Together it should be a good collaboration with the players who are available.’

But the United boss was also keen to take the positives from a display that saw his side compete well against the reigning Premier League champions for the full ninety minutes.

‘[The positives are] that we managed to be on an equal level with [Man] City,’ he told ITV at full-time.

‘By getting [Marcus] Rashford high on the pitch and good defending, we did that very well.

‘We got pressure in the ball and also in possession, in the overloading situation in the midfield we had some very good spells, very good play-throughs and created chances from this so there are many positives we can take.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.