Erik ten Hag names the three Manchester United signings he wants to make in explosive interview

Erik ten Hag is set to manage Manchester United for the final time this afternoon with his side looking to cause an upset against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

News broke on Friday that the Dutchman would not be granted a third season in charge, regardless of the result in the Wembley showpiece.

Ten Hag has overseen, by his own admission, a dreadful campaign at Old Trafford during which a number of unwanted records have been broken.

The former Ajax boss is, however, not going down without a fight and gave an explosive interview to Voetbal International on the eve of the final.

Here’s what we learned from one of Ten Hag’s most revealing discussions with the Dutch media outlet…

Man Utd need three new signings

Whoever is in the dugout come the start of next season, the new manager will undoubtedly require new additions in order to rejuvenate a squad lacking in depth and quality in every department.

A host of changes have been made at boardroom level since INEOS acquired a minority share in the club with the likes of Jason Wilcox, Omar Berrada and, potentially Dan Ashworth, set to play a major role in the required rebuild.

‘We need to sign an extra striker in the summer,’ said Ten Hag, talking as though his fate had been anything but sealed.

‘And if we can sign another central midfielder and a replacement for Varane, things will look good again.

‘If the team remains fit we can try and aim for top 4 again.’

Roy Keane and Paul Scholes in the firing line

The likes of Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes have all been critical of the lack of progress United have made this season, having previously suggested they were confident Ten Hag was taking the club in the right direction.

Results and performances have dictated a dramatic sea change in opinion but Ten Hag insists those opining from the TV studios are not in possession of the full facts.

He said: ‘The pundits in England want to score, they want to show they are worth the money, and for that Manchester United is an easy pray. It’s the biggest club in England and possibly in the world. The club is either loved or hated, there is no in-between.

‘So when things go bad, they all start talking and talking with very big words. All this negativism from these so called experts who don’t have the capability to analyze something with facts, but who prefer to attack people to make themselves look better.

‘And these same people were the ones who gave me a pat on the back last year. Last year I was able to walk on water, this year I am the worst manager in the Premier League!’

Injury crisis worse than than we realised

While sympathy has been in short supply for Ten Hag, even his harshest critics would admit he has suffered amid an almost unprecedented injury crisis.

Almost every player who would have been considered a key part of his plans at the start of the season has suffered an injury at some point, with even the virtually unbreakable Bruno Fernandes succumbing earlier this month.

‘The injuries have been really crazy. Not long ago I had to start my 15th different centre back duo of the season. I have had 33 different defensive lines this season!’ said Ten Hag.

‘Sofyan Amrabat had to play left back 4 times. We have had injuries all over the pitch. Casemiro has been out for a long time. Rasmus Hojlund, the striker we bought, suffered from three injuries and I can keep going on and on. This is the core story of our season.

‘Tyrell Malacia didn’t play a single minute of football this season. In fact, he didn’t even spend a single moment out on the training pitch. We signed him as our back-up for Luke Shaw.

‘Luke Shaw is the best left back in the world. This guy is so good. But he has suffered a horrible injury at the start of his career and because of this he will never be able to play 60 games per season.’

Backs Marc Overmars and rips into Ajax

While United are in a state of crisis, Ten Hag’s previous club, Ajax, are hardly faring any better.

The Dutch giants finished fifth in the Eredivisie last season, a whopping 35 points behind runaway champions PSV Eindhoven.

Since Ten Hag’s departure, Ajax have changed manager on several occasions and allowed several key experienced club legends to leave.

The 54-year-old has been saddened by Ajax’s demise and controversially hit out at the decision to sack his former sidekick, Marc Overmars, who was dismissed as a result of a scandal which involved for sending lewd photos and videos to female employees.

He said: ‘I stand firm that I find it a disgrace the way Marc Overmars has been treated. The departure of Marc Overmars killed Ajax at the time. And from club perspective it was really stupid to throw him under the bus straight away.

‘Overmars was the binding factor within the club. He didn’t write a single letter on paper, but every outgoing and incoming line was created by him. He was smart, he had strategic insight. When they got rid of him, everything collapsed.

‘There is zero balance in the squad, you have to work on that. This will take time because they made an unbelievable mess, it might even take another year. How did they get rid of Davy Klaassen & Daley Blind?! And the way they got rid of them as well, absolutely disgraceful.

‘They should have NEVER let Davy Klaassen go. A player like him is so important for your squad, for your club. You have to protect your DNA. The same goes for Daley Blind, how stupid can you be?’

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