Ten Hag admits Man Utd 'absolutely' need new striker this summer after 2-0 loss

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United’s defeat to Real Madrid in Houston has underlined the need to sign a new striker this summer.

United remain locked in talks with Atalanta in the hope of thrashing out a deal for Rasmus Hojlund after submitting an opening bid of £42million plus £8.5m in add-ons.

Ten Hag’s side went down 2-0 to Madrid in Houston’s NRG Stadium on Wednesday night despite creating a number of chances.

The United boss agreed that it emphasised the need to bring in more firepower after trailing behind the rest of the Premier League’s top-six in goals scored last season.

‘Absolutely,’ he said afterwards. ‘Two things: the pressing can be better from the start and scoring goals. I think we need more players capable to be one-on-one. We had the situations. It was (Marcus) Rashford, Scott McTominay and (Alejandro) Garnacho. You have to score.

‘We created some very good chances but we have to be more clinical and score goals from those situations. We had a couple of them – three or four good chances – but we stayed in the game until the last minute and then conceded the second goal.

‘It's always difficult to see. It's like looking in the (crystal ball) but we are working 24/7. We’ll do all in power to get this done.’

Asked about Hojland, he replied: ‘We never talk about players under contract with another club. We have our targets. We are 24/7, we are busy with it, with the right player to sign a contract with us.’

Ten Hag switched Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes between the No.10 role and was happy with what he saw from United’s new £60m signing.

‘He was very good. He had a very big chance one-on-one from five or six yards when the keeper dropped the ball from a cross. His movements were great in and out of possession,