Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is eager to further enhance his squad as he prepares for a demanding season, which he describes as the “survival of the fittest.” The Dutch manager hopes to build on United’s recent successes and address the issues that hindered their previous campaign.
Building a Stronger Squad
Last season, United’s challenge for a top-four Premier League finish was marred by injuries. However, they ended on a high note, defeating Manchester City to win the FA Cup for the first time since 2023. This summer, Ten Hag has already welcomed two new signings to strengthen the squad: central defender Lenny Yoro and forward Joshua Zirkzee. Both players are expected to feature in the upcoming pre-season friendly against Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, scheduled for the early hours of Sunday morning.
In a pre-match press conference, Ten Hag emphasized the importance of squad depth, stating, “I want the squad as strong as possible. We already made two very good buys, so when everyone is fit, we have a team that can beat anyone.”
He continued, “But we also need to catch up in terms of squad depth. We know that when we had injuries, we were vulnerable. We have to avoid this by reducing injuries and ensuring our squad is deep enough to handle any challenges. This season will be a ‘survival of the fittest.'”
Consistency is Key
Ten Hag acknowledged Manchester United’s ability to compete against top teams, having beaten strong opponents, including a double victory against Manchester City. However, he also highlighted the need for consistency: “We proved we can beat the best teams, not just once but twice. But our challenge is to do it consistently, and that’s what we have to work towards.”
Coaching Staff Changes
In addition to strengthening the squad, Ten Hag has made several changes to his coaching staff. Andreas Georgson has been appointed as a first-team coach, joining from Norwegian club Lillestrom, where he served as head coach since January. Georgson, who has previously worked with Arsenal, Brentford, and Southampton, is known for his expertise in set-pieces.
Georgson’s arrival follows the recruitment of Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy as first-team assistants earlier this summer. Jelle ten Rouwellar has also joined as a goalkeeper coach, while Steve McClaren and Darren Fletcher continue their roles as first-team coaches.
Ten Hag confirmed that Georgson will focus on individual player development and set-piece strategies, emphasizing the importance of having a specialized approach to improve performance.
As Manchester United gears up for the new season, ten Hag’s strategic additions to both the squad and coaching staff signal a determined push for success in what promises to be a challenging campaign.
