Man Utd squad arrive in Thailand as Ten Hag 'makes call' to sign new striker

Manchester United's players and staff have touched down in Thailand as they prepare to begin their pre-season programme, but manager Erik ten Hag is still looking to bolster his squad.

United have only made one new addition so far, with Tyrell Malacia joining from Feyenoord. The left-back took his place in the 31-man squad, but Cristiano Ronaldo is one of a number of first teamers to miss out with "family reasons" cited.

Ten Hag's side will take on Liverpool in Thailand on July 12, before travelling to Australia for the next part of their pre-season tour. However, their squad could grow before the tour is over, with reports emerging about a call between the manager and former Ajax striker Brian Brobbey.

According to The Times, Ten Hag has made contact with Brobbey over a potential £13m move from RB Leipzig. The Dutch youngster had finished last season on loan at Ajax, where he thrived under Ten Hag after struggling in Germany.

Ajax had been expected to complete a permanent move to bring the forward back to Amsterdam. However, Ten Hag's intervention has muddied the waters as the United boss looks for more reinforcements.

With Ronaldo's future uncertain and Edinson Cavani having already left, the Red Devils are expected to add to their ranks. However, one man who could feature in attack in pre-season is Anthony Martial, with the forward returning from a loan spell at Sevilla.

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The travelling squad is a mix of youth and experience as Ten Hag gets a good look at the players at his disposal. Among the young talents involved is Tunisian midfielder Hannibal, who impressed when called upon late last season.

Ten Hag has also been impressed by the quality shown by Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal. The pair made their debuts in the Champions League in December, and have been joined in the squad by fellow youngsters including Alejandro Garnacho and Facundo Pellistri.

The tour will also offer an opportunity for Jadon Sancho to impress after a difficult first season at Old Trafford. The England international arrived in a big-money move from Borussia Dortmund but only fleetingly showed the form which prompted United to splash out for his services.

Huge crowds gathered to welcome in the players and staff as they arrived at the airport. The game against Liverpool will be the first of Ten Hag's maiden pre-season, and should give an idea of how much more investment is needed.

United continue to be linked with reinforcements in a number of areas after a series of summer departures. As well as Cavani, the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard have also left upon the expiry of their contracts.

Nemanja Matic has also moved on, reuniting with former United boss Jose Mourinho at Roma. There are also expected to be a number of loan departures, with Dean Henderson having already completed a season-long move to Nottingham Forest.

Paulo Dybala is among the free agents on United's radar after the Argentine left Juventus. However, there will be competition from elsewhere in Italy if Ten Hag makes a push for the former Palermo star.

Discussions continue over Frenkie de Jong, who could be reunited with Ten Hag after initially leaving Ajax for Barcelona in 2019. Elsewhere, current Ajax players Antony and Lisandro Martinez are of interest to United, though questions remain regarding transfer fees for the South American duo.

It remains to be seen whether any of the proposed deals can be wrapped up before United leave Thailand. After the game against Liverpool, Ten Hag's squad are due to face Melbourne Victory in the first of three friendlies in Australia on July 15.