'We always look for better' - Erik ten Hag reacts to Manuel Ugarte question amid reports Man Utd are close to signing midfielder from PSG

Ten Hag was speaking to TNT Sports following United's 2-1 Premier League defeat at the hands of Brighton when the subject of Ugarte's potential move to Old Trafford was brought up. But other than confirming he wants to improve the squad, the Dutchman wouldn't be drawn on any specifics.

United have been tracking Ugarte for most of the summer in an effort to upgrade in midfield. In recent days, reports have suggested that a deal with PSG is broadly agreed after the clubs were previously struggling to compromise. Ugarte himself is thought to have agreed personal terms as far back as July.

Ten Hag said: "I don't have any update on anything regarding transfers. We always look for better. When we have news we will report it and in this moment I have not heard anything, so I don't think there is anything to tell."

His answer was largely similar when it came to the subject of outgoing transfers: "As I said, when we have news, we will report it and now we don't have news."

Only six days of the transfer window remain, so if United have plans to go into the bulk of the 2024-25 season with more in midfield than they currently do, the Ugarte talks need resolving fairly quickly. Fans will likely be disappointed if at least one further new signing - on top of Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui - does not arrive before August 30.