Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag refused to confirm whether his club were close to signing Bayern Munich duo Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui when questioned in the aftermath of the Community Shield.
In the hours leading up to the clash with Manchester City, the Red Devils are said to have come to an agreement with Bayern over the double signing of De Ligt and Mazraoui.
Ten Hag was asked for an update after his side's penalty-shootout loss to Man City at Wembley Stadium, but the Dutchman refused to confirm whether a deal had been agreed.
"No, I can't," Ten Hag said when asked if he could confirm the double arrival. "When we have some news, we will announce it. Until that point, we will work with the squad that is available.
"It's clear we have the problems (in defence) and we have to work. The players have to work to be available and the staff have to work. Together it should be a good collaboration with the players who are available."
© Imago
Man United's defensive issues were again on show at Wembley
Facundo Pellistri finished the Community Shield at right-back, with Diogo Dalot moving to the opposite side, as Luke Shaw was not deemed fit-enough to feature, while Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro all missed out.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka also did not play, with the defender on the verge of joining West Ham United.
However, the expected arrivals of De Ligt and Mazraoui will boost the Red Devils squad ahead of the team's Premier League opener with Fulham on Friday night.
Harry Amass, 17, was surprisingly overlooked for a spot in the squad on Saturday, and it proved to be a disappointing afternoon for Man United, as they lost on penalties to Man City following a 1-1 draw.
Bernardo Silva scored a last-gasp header to cancel out an opener from Alejandro Garnacho, but Ten Hag was able to take the positives from the team's last game ahead of the new league campaign.
© Imago
Ten Hag says he was "very pleased" with performance
"I was very pleased. After half an hour we were very competitive and we came in the fight and we were passionate in the fight and that is what we demand from our players. It was very good and we can take this into next week [against Fulham]," the manager said after the contest.
"You have to feel the pain. You have to get fuel from it to make it a successful season but also take the positives that we can bring, against a very good ball-playing team, press on the ball and we can, against a very good pressing team, outplay them.
"The league start is the most important. I think we can take a lot of positives from this game, and it will give us confidence but also a little bit of pain in our stomach. When you are twice leading - in the game and in the penalties - then you have to feel the pain. We were very close but [did] not [win] a trophy.
"I missed [our fans] so much. I am so happy we are back. I am really looking forward to the season. Starting on Friday against Fulham. We have some days to prepare and we have to use them. We have to use them and start against Fulham."
Man United will take on Fulham, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool in their opening three games of the new Premier League season.
