Erik ten Hag acknowledged his Manchester United defense still had “problems” to be solved but declined to comment on rumors surrounding the possible arrivals of Matthijs de Light and Noussair Mazraoui.
Leny Yoro was one of the defensive reinforcements the Red Devils pursued this summer; however, he has a foot ailment that will keep him out for three months.
Manchester United has been searching for new defenders, and they have now been to Munich, where they are almost certain to sign De Ligt and Mazraoui.
Reports on Saturday suggested a deal for the Dutch centre-back had been agreed, while the signing of Mazraoui was progressing well, but Ten Hag would not get into specifics when speaking following his side’s Community Shield defeat to Manchester City at Wembley.
‘No, I can’t,’ Ten Hag replied when asked if he could provide an update on De Ligt and Mazraoui. ‘When we have some news, we will announce it. Until that point, we will work with the squad that is available.’
But the 54-year-old was willing to concede that his defence, which at Wembley saw Lisandro Martinez forced to play at left-back, is still a work in progress.
‘It’s clear we have the problems (in defence) and we have to work,’ Ten Hag added.
‘The players have to work to be available and the staff have to work. Together it should be a good collaboration with the players who are available.’
But the United boss was also keen to take the positives from a display that saw his side compete well against the reigning Premier League champions for the full ninety minutes.
‘[The positives are] that we managed to be on an equal level with [Man] City,’ he told ITV at full-time.
‘By getting [Marcus] Rashford high on the pitch and good defending, we did that very well.
‘We got pressure in the ball and also in possession, in the overloading situation in the midfield we had some very good spells, very good play-throughs and created chances from this so there are many positives we can take.’