02 April 2023 , 07:30
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Manchester United boosted their squad with three signings in the January transfer window, though the trio have had mixed fortunes since then.
Jack Butland arrived from Crystal Palace, Wout Weghorst joined from Burnley and Marcel Sabitzer was brought in from Bayern Munich - all on loan deals. United have lost just one game since the January window closed.
Ten Hag has earned a reputation for making good signings for United since he arrived at Old Trafford in the summer. Here, Mirror Football looks at how his three most recent signings have fared since they joined the Red Devils three months ago.
Jack Butland
Jack Butland was the first January signing for United, arriving at the start of that month on loan from Crystal Palace. The goalkeeper was brought in to replace Martin Dubravka, who had been recalled by Newcastle.
At the time, Ten Hag stressed the need to have three senior goalkeepers in the squad, alongside David de Gea and Tom Heaton. But Butland is still yet to play any minutes, instead being restricted to featuring on the bench in the Europa League and FA Cup.
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Wout Weghorst
Wout Weghorst has impressed despite his lack of goalsWout Weghorst arrived on loan from Burnley after a drawn-out saga and has since gone on to play a major role at United. He has featured in 18 games, scoring two goals and notching two assists.
While the striker has struggled to find his scoring boots, he has impressed for the Red Devils. Ten Hag has certainly been pleased with his countryman and has frequently defended him when the 30-year-old has faced criticism.
“Why does he start every game? Because he is capable. He is physically capable to play a lot of games. He is a very fit player, and he recovers very well," the United boss said at the start of March.
“I expected that he will play a lot but obviously we have an injury with Anthony Martial, so it's obvious that's the main reason why he's playing every game from the start to almost finish. I think he's doing well as the striker. He's also bringing good performances as the no.10 in the midfield.”
Marcel Sabitzer
Marcel Sabitzer has delivered a series of good performances for United (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)United's final January signing was Marcel Sabitzer, who arrived on loan from Bayern Munich on deadline day. The Austrian was brought in after Christian Eriksen was sidelined with a long-term injury.
Sabitzer has since featured nine times for the Red Devils, starting five games. There had been some concern that he had endured a downturn in performances at Bayern, but former Austria international Walter Kogler has been pleased with Sabitzer's displays for United.
“He felt from the first minute that Manchester United wanted him at all costs. At Bayern, you looked for Kimmich when you were in possession of the ball. That’s when he missed the ball," Kogler said at the end of February.
"With Manchester it’s different, they look for him too and that’s where he has his strengths. He is very valuable both defensively and offensively – a real hub in Manchester’s game.”