Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag accepts that the club need to bolster their forward ranks after Patrice Evra made his feelings known on their attacking options.

Erik ten Hag confessed that Manchester United need to be more clinical in front of goal in a frank exchange with Patrice Evra.

The Dutchman saw his side put three past Nottingham Forest in what was a routine victory. Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred all scored at Old Trafford in what was the first game of the post-Cristiano Ronaldo era following his departure last month.

His exit leaves United light of options in attack. Rashford’s haul of five league goals is the highest in the squad with Martial and Antony both on three each, which underlines the team’s issues in front of goal. Already the Red Devils have scored 17 fewer goals than Manchester City despite playing a game more.

Evra made it known that his former side need to bolster their forward ranks if they are to progress and, once again, challenge for honours – an assessment Ten Hag fully agreed with.

He told Amazon Prime Video : “I can confirm that. That’s what I said in the dressing room. We have to score more goals. We have to finish this game a lot earlier. You can then save more energy.”

United failed to add a striker to their ranks in the summer and the sudden and unexpected departure of Ronaldo has only increased their need to add more firepower. The January transfer window presents the club with an opportunity and Ten Hag wants players who can go into the starting XI.

The Dutchman said on their future plans: “Yes, we are aware we lost a striker, so I think we have to get a striker in, but it has to be the right one. The right one is a player that brings quality to the team, not just adding to the squad because that only gives you problems. And, you know the criteria is high here at Manchester United.”

Erik ten Hag was quizzed on the state of Man Utd’s forward line ( Image: Amazon Prime)

PSV star Cody Gakpo has been linked with an Old Trafford move since the summer with the Eredivisie outfit open to selling. Liverpool though have struck an agreement to sign the forward who scored three times at the World Cup, leaving United to eye new targets.

Ten Hag was quizzed on the transfer blow and responded: “I don’t talk about individual cases. We are looking for a striker, it would be good with so many games coming. We want to stay in all the leagues we are playing in and you need numbers in the squad.”

United are now eyeing the likes of Rafael Leao, Dusan Vlahovic and Goncalo Ramos – the Benfica star who scored a hat-trick for Portugal at the World Cup.

Erik ten Hag targets Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos as Manchester United lose out to Liverpool for Cody Gakpo

Erik ten Hag is keen for Manchester United to sign Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos after being beaten by Liverpool in the race for Cody Gakpo, according to reports.

Goncalo Ramos is on Erik ten Hag’s wishlist at Manchester United (Reuters)

United had discussed the possibility of signing Gakpo from PSV in the summer but instead opted to complete an £85 million deal for Antony.

Ten Hag’s side had retained their interest in the Netherlands international and were expected to make a fresh approach in the January transfer window.

However, Liverpool have swooped in and beaten their Premier League rivals by agreeing a £50m deal with PSV for the 23-year-old.

It’s understood that United were yet to submit an offer to PSV, while reports have also claimed that some scouts at the club were not fully convinced by Gakpo.

According to The Mirror, Ten Hag had made Gakpo one of his top targets for January but the United manager is now aiming to sign Ramos.

Cody Gakpo is heading to Liverpool (Getty)

The Benfica striker, who scored a hat-trick for Portugal against Switzerland in the last 16 of the World Cup earlier this month, has a €120m (£103m) release clause in his current contract.

The 21-year-old has been in sublime form for Benfica this season with nine goals in the league so far.

However, MailOnline reports that United will be forced to shop in the loan market in January as the Glazers continue their push to sell the club.

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix is one option available to United, while reports earlier this month claimed that a loan deal for Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic is also being considered.

Speaking this week, Ten Hag insisted that United will not rush their decision over Cristiano Ronaldo’s replacement after the 37-year-old left the club during the World Cup.

‘We are aware we lost a striker, so I think we have to get a striker in, but it has to be the right one,’ Ten Hag said.

‘The right one is a player that brings quality to the team, not just adding to the squad because that only gives you problems. And, you know the criteria is high here at Manchester United.’

SOURCE: mirror.co.uk – metro.co.uk