Man United’s Ten Hag won’t rule out January loan signings

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag refused to rule out loan signings in the January transfer window after being forced to name a bench full of youngsters for the FA Cup win over Wigan Athletic Monday.

Antony was ruled out of the 2-0 win at the DW Stadium due to injury, while Christian Eriksen became the latest United player to miss a match through illness, adding to an already long list of absentees .

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This meant that Ten Hag were forced to name a young bench with 22-year-old Facundo Pellistri the oldest outfield player on the bench.

When asked afterwards if January loan signings were a possibility, the Dutchman said it was something the club was considering.

“We consider everything,” Ten Hag said. “What is the best interest of the players and also the best interest for us, the team, for Manchester United, so we will see how we progress during the window.”

United face Tottenham at Old Trafford on Sunday and Ten Hag will hope his squad will be strengthened by the return of at least some of their injured players.

Lisandro Martínez and Casemiro are still a few weeks away from returning, but Luke Shaw could feature after missing the last two games.

“I think there will be players [back]” said Ten Hag. “I think I hope they can be back this weekend. I'm talking about Christian Eriksen, potentially Luke Shaw. Harry [Maguire] maybe. Mason [Mount] needs a few more days.

Sources have told ESPN that United still expect Jadon Sancho to join Borussia Dortmund on loan in the window despite deal delays over the weekend.

There has also been loan interest in Hannibal, Pellistri and Amad but, according to a source, Ten Hag is unlikely to allow all three players to leave in January after already allowing Donny van de Beek to join Eintracht Frankfurt until the end of the season. .