Erik ten Hag says Manchester United are working hard to build on their successful summer transfer window ahead of next Friday’s deadline.

Ambitious club Ineos were active during their first transfer window under the Control, signing Joshua Zirkzee and Leny Yoro, followed last week by the arrival of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt.

United are not done in the transfer market yet and want to sign midfielder Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. However, the deal must be right as strict profit and sustainability rules must be adhered to.

When asked about the possibility of new faces before the August 30 deadline, manager Ten Hag said: “Just be patient, just sit there and wait.”

“We are of course working very hard and will always try to put together the best possible squad.

“We have a few days. The approach is constantly being improved, so we will look for it as long as we have the opportunity. But, no, at the moment I cannot reveal any news, of course.”

“If we have news, we will bring it,” said Ten Hag when pressed about a deal with Uruguayan international Ugarte, but was more coy about the deals so far this summer.

“I’m very pleased,” said the United boss. “It shows we’re going in the right direction. We know we still have some catching up to do as a club, but I think it shows our ambition and the direction we want to go.”

“So I think we have done some good business, really very good players, quality players who will enrich our squad and contribute to the quality of our squad.”

United prepare for Saturday afternoon’s away game at Brighton after opening the season with a 1-0 win over Fulham, made possible by a late goal from debutant Zirkzee as a substitute.

Jadon Sancho was noticeably absent from the squad for that victory and Ten Hag said afterwards that he would have preferred other options after a week in which the winger struggled with an ear infection.

The 24-year-old only returned to the first-team squad in the summer after being excluded from the club due to his angry public reaction to his manager’s explanation for his Arsenal exit last September.

Sancho initially played on loan for his former club Borussia Dortmund in the 2024 season, but was brought back into the team, came off the bench and missed a penalty in the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City.

“We will see (if he is in Brighton),” said Ten Hag. “We have a squad and I hope we will have a squad with a dual position when we start the season after September 1.”

“This also means that you cannot field all the players for one game, but we need all the players throughout the season because this season is about survival of the fittest.

“Of course we have to get it right, but the attitude of the players is also very important.

“Sometimes they will be disappointed, but they have to deal with it because you don’t win with the team, you win as a team.

“The prizes will be decided next May. By then we need all players in the squad and all players must be highly motivated to make their contribution.

“That is not an expectation. That is a requirement of the club and of me as coach for the team – the team is always more important than any individual.”

Rasmus Hojlund, Yoro, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are still out, while Victor Lindelof will miss the game against Brighton due to a toe problem.