Erik ten Hag reveals Manchester United are making PROGRESS towards signing a new striker… with the Red Devils expected to table a bid for Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund

Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are making progress on signing a new striker before the start of the season.

United have been heavily linked with Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund and are expected to table a bid, although the club insist they do not want to pay more than £60million.

Ten Hag has stressed the importance of bringing in players as soon as possible this summer so they can settle, and hopes United can add to the signings of Mason Mount and Andre Onana soon.

‘We’re making progress but we know how it works and when we have him, we will tell you directly,’ said Ten Hag in San Diego ahead of the Under-21s game against Wrexham at the Snapdragon Stadium on Tuesday and the first team’s clash with Real Madrid in Houston on Wednesday.

‘The only thing I can say is we’ll do everything in our power to get it done. If it was up to me, yeah, as soon as possible, the earlier the better, because we have to integrate him in the team and the way we play.

Erik ten Hag revealed that Manchester United are making progress towards signing a striker

The Red Devils are expected to put forward an offer for Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund – though they will not pay more than £60m despite the Italian side’s £86m asking price

‘In an ideal situation, he was already here. But you do not always get ideal situations as a manager and you have to deal with the situation.’

United have already indicated that they are out of the running to sign Harry Kane, and Ten Hag was asked if there is a possibility of Kylian Mbappe moving on loan to Old Trafford next season if the French star rejects a mega-move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal from Paris Saint-Germain.

‘We never speak about players who are under contract,’ he replied.

Ten Hag is desperate to inject more goals into United after his team lagged behind the rest of the top-six in scoring last season. Marcus Rashford top scored with 30 goals and the manager is hopeful that he can produce again ‘if his attitude is right’ after signing a new £300,000-a-week contract.

‘When his attitude is right then he will do that,’ said Ten Hag. ‘It’s not easy and the team has to play well to put him in the right position. When the team is playing well, so when we keep the rules and principles in our way of play and Rashford’s attitude is right and he puts himself in the right positions, he will finish because has great abilities. When he is in the box, he’s clinical, he’s ruthless, and he scores goals, with his right foot, with left foot and with his head.

‘We are underperforming there and we are aware of it, so others have to contribute also in that area. Therefore we are looking for scoring abilities and I think in Mason Mount we have a player extra who is capable of scoring goals and creating them and to play players like Rashford into position to score more goals. As a whole team we have to score more.’

Anthony Martial returned to training with the rest of the squad on Monday after recovering from a hamstring strain, and Ten Hag hopes the Frenchman can stay injury free.

‘Today, he was in the team training, so it is really hopeful,’ said the United boss. ‘Of course, when you have a player in your squad, you have to expect he is available and players have to take responsibility to be available.

Ten Hag is determined to bring in a striker as soon as possible to integrate them into the team in time for the start of the new season

‘But when he is not, I have to deal with the situation and we have shown we can be successful without that striker. But it’s easier when you have that striker in the team because every club who wins big trophies has scoring abilities in that team.

‘We need a good squad and Anthony Martial is a brilliant football player so he will help us score goals. There are other areas like pressing in possession combinations, he’s a great player, so we hope he’s fit and he stays fit.’

Jadon Sancho played as a false nine and scored in Saturday’s win over Arsenal in New Jersey and can give United another option.

‘He’s doing well in that role,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Jadon is the best in positions, central positions when he can have involvement in right areas.