Erik ten Hag labels Manchester United transfer window as "complicated" with club still trying to sign Adrien Rabiot and Frenkie de Jong

Erik ten Hag has labelled Manchester United's summer transfer window as "complicated", with the club still looking to bring in more signings ahead of the September 1 deadline.

The new manager had a tough first outing at Old Trafford in the Premier League. Losing 2-1 to Brighton would've highlighted the need for more additions his weak squad.

Ten Hag has stressed, however, that himself and the United board are working together, but adds that he would've preferred to have his business done by this point.

"We cooperate well and it is to my satisfaction and, of course, it was better to get the players earlier in because then you get earlier in the process," he explained to reporters.

The manager is not happy with the depth in certain positions of the pitch, claiming that one absence can cause issues at the Theatre of Dreams if additions are not made.

"Now we are in the department of midfield and offence, you have seen when we have one injury that we have a problem. That’s clear."

Manchester United have been linked with a host of players this window. One was Marko Arnautovic, who the club reportedly stopped pursuing, partly due to racist allegations from his past.

Ten Hag, however, claimed the chase as an "assumption" by the reporters. The manager has been clear that he wants the correct profiles if United are to purchase more players this summer.

"Of course, there are developments in the transfer market but still we have to get the players in who can contribute and not get players in who cannot do. Then we have to do with the squad and then we have to improve the team.

Once again, it [getting players in early] would be my preference because we could be starting the process earlier, quite clear. But at the end of the day, the season is long and you have to get in the right players.

"It’s really complicated [in the market], I can tell you, but I think we are really happy with what we have done until now.

"Tyrell Malacia did very well [against Atletico Madrid], Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez both did very well in the game against Brighton. We are very happy with that."

The Reds are closing in on a deal for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The French midfielder's mother met with United's football director, John Murtough, in Turin on Friday.

Discussions between the pair were said to be detailed around the personal terms for the player, with Mike McGrath from Telegraph Sport explaining that they have to navigate problems posed by Italy having a favourable tax system for foreigners.

United are also still in the race for Frenkie de Jong. The saga has entered its fourth month and there is much less confidence within the fanbase that the deal will come to fruition, especially since Chelsea entered the fray, but United are not walking away from the player.

Ten Hag will want to get his fellow countryman, as he would fit into the type of signing that the manager wants to bring into the club.

"We have to meet high standards and keep the high standards. Also the profiles [of players] we want to get in. Of course, character is always an issue. They have to be good and have to fit into the team."

However, eyebrows have been raised in the last week with the rumoured recruitment being less than ideal. Many fans have been less than impressed with the idea of Rabiot being the signing to improve the depleted Fred and Scott McTominay duo in the midfield pivot.

This includes a scathing rant from United legend Lou Macari on the club's own television programme MUTV.

The former midfielder claimed he had "never really heard of" the Frenchman and asked why no one else had moved for the 27-year-old.