Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants to make an incredible five new signings before the transfer window closes next month, according to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook.

The Dutchman has made a disastrous start to life in the Old Trafford hotseat and has just two weeks left to improve his squad, who currently sit bottom of the Premier League following two straight defeats.

What's the latest news involving Manchester United?

After an encouraging pre-season, which included a 4-0 victory over Liverpool, the Red Devils looked in good shape ahead of the new season.

GiveMeSport The Verdict

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo wanting to leave the club, the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial all looked sharp in pre-season, which raised the levels of optimism at Old Trafford.

But their recent positivity has come crushing down in a little over eight days after following up a 2-1 defeat against Brighton with an embarrassing 4-0 hammering at Brentford.

Two of Ten Hag's summer signings started in west London, but both Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen made little difference, leaving United in desperate need of reinforcements before the window closes.

After Edinson Cavani's departure and doubts over Ronaldo's future, a striker has always been close to the top of Ten Hag's wish list this summer, although Crook reckons the 52-year-old wants five new additions in the next two-and-a-half weeks.

What did Crook say about Manchester United?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "I don't know how many before the Liverpool game, but I was told at the start of the summer, Ten Hag was looking at five or six new additions. I'm now told he wants five more between now and 1 September."

What positions do Manchester United need to strengthen?

Despite links earlier this summer, United are yet to find someone to provide cover for David de Gea, although given they've already got the experienced Tom Heaton on their bench, a shotstopper isn't a must.

But two positions United simply must fill before the window closes is in centre midfield and up front.

They've wasted the entire summer pursuing a deal for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong and after more than two months it still remains unclear whether he'll be coming to Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, with Martial out injured and United now willing to listen to offers for Ronaldo, the Red Devils need at least one striker, potentially even two, to give themselves any chance of securing a respectable finish this season.

With Aaron Wan-Bissaka's United career also in doubt and Diogo Dalot far from the finished article, another right-back almost wouldn't go amiss, too.