Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag hopes to add to squad ahead of what he says will be ‘survival of the fittest’ season | Football news

Erik ten Hag: “I want the team to be as strong as possible. We have already made two very good purchases, so when everyone is fit, we have a team that can beat everyone. But also in the depth of the team, we have to let’s catch up”; Man Utd play Arsenal at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in the early hours of Sunday morning

Erik ten Hag is hoping for further additions to his Manchester United squad ahead of what promises to be a “survival of the fittest” season.

United’s hopes of challenging for a top-four finish in the final term were hampered by injuries, although they finished their season on a high, recording their first win against rivals Manchester City since 2023 to lift the FA Cup.

Centre-back Lenny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee have already arrived this summer to bolster Ten Hag’s squad, with both set to feature when United play Arsenal in a pre-season friendly at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“I want the team to be as strong as possible,” Ten Hag told reporters at the pre-match press conference.

“We’ve already made two very good signings, so when everyone is fit we have a team that can beat everyone.

“But also in the depth of the team, we have to catch up. We know that because (when) we have had injuries, we are vulnerable and we have to avoid that. First, we injure ourselves less and sustain fewer injuries. And secondly, our team has to be so good in depth.

“Of course, the quality we have, but in depth we have to catch up. And even more so, because this will be a season that is survival of the fittest.

“We proved that we can beat the best team. Not just once, we did it twice. But the other games were also very close.

“Our challenge is to do it consistently, that’s what we have to work for.”

Georgson joins as first team coach

Meanwhile, Andreas Georgson has joined Manchester United as first team coach.

The 42-year-old is the latest addition to Ten Hag’s staff this summer and arrives from Norwegian side Lillestrom, where he has been head coach since January this year.

Former Malmo caretaker boss Georgson has carved out a career as a set-piece specialist, with roles at Arsenal, Brentford and Southampton in recent years.

Georgson’s arrival is the latest reshuffle of Ten Hag’s coaching staff after Rene Hake and Ruud van Nistelrooy joined as first-team assistants earlier this summer.

Jelle ten Rouwellar also became goalkeeping coach, with Steve McClaren and Darren Fletcher still coaching the first team.

Ten Hag confirmed in its press conference that Georgson will specialize in individual development and skits.

Man Utd 2024/25 fixtures: Ten Hag kicks off with Fulham, live on Sky

Manchester United will start their 2024/25 Premier League season with a home game against Fulham, live on Sky Sports, and face Liverpool in the first month of the season.

The opening match of the new campaign will be played on Friday, August 16, starting at 20:00.

United then travel to Brighton ahead of their first big derby of the season at home to Liverpool Sunday, September 1.

The reverse fixture will be played in early 2025, with a trip to Anfield on January 4.

Fans will have to wait until December for the first Manchester derby of the season, away to the city of Manchester on December 14. The reverse fixture at Old Trafford will be played on April 5.

Boxing Day will lead to Man Utd Wolvesand will finish the 2024/25 campaign at home to Villa Aston on May 25.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League moved ahead of Deadline Day to link up with Europe’s other major leagues. The closing dates were set following discussions with leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France