Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has refused to take the responsibility for splurging close to half a billion pounds in the transfer market on disappointing signings.
Antony, Casemiro, and Mason Mount are just a few players who have largely let fans down since their arrivals at Old Trafford, having been brought in for extortionate fees.
Ten Hag has recently claimed he had nothing to do with the valuations of some high profile signings and has instead suggested ex-chief executive Richard Arnold and ex-football director John Murtough sanctioned the investments that have failed to reap rewards or impress fans.
“The prices paid for players are indeed very high – but I am not responsible for that,” said the Dutchman (via The Mirror). “The club did all the negotiations, including with very good potential players who didn’t come in the end.
“So it is all a bit more nuanced than the picture that is being painted that the purchase policy is disastrous. It’s all negative, but despite all the problems, the foundation at the club has grown stronger.
“That may not all be visible to the outside world now, but everyone internally will make that analysis.
“With talents like [Kobbie] Mainoo, [Alejandro] Garnacho, Hojlund and also someone like Amad Diallo, who has developed very strongly, the future looks bright.”
Should Ten Hag stay at the helm of the Red Devils, he’s keen to bring in three new faces – a striker, a centre-back and a midfielder – this summer.
Arsenal physio Jordan Reece is also set to move to Old Trafford and could provide valuable expertise to help the club mount a challenge at the top of the table once again.
Ten Hag continued: “You can start playing towards the top four with such an eleven. That gives me hope and is also realistic in my eyes. The plan last year was clear: we buy a striker and get a goalkeeper who is able to shape the football from behind, and an extra midfielder.
“That was the approach and in theory we would then be stronger and be able to take the next step.”
What we know
- Ten Hag says former staff are responsible for overpriced signings
- Dutchman still wants to bring in new players this summer
- The 54-year-old believes United will be a top four club again soon.