Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has slammed the Red Devils’ recent transfer policy, branding many of the players bought in recent seasons as ‘average’ as the Dutchman continues to try to rebuild the Old Trafford side.
Since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, United have spent over £1 billion, including breaking their transfer record twice, for the arrivals of Angel di Maria and Paul Pogba. They have seen very little return on this investment, with just an FA Cup, a League Cup and a Europa League trophy to their name since the departure of their longest-serving manager.
Quizzed on the transfer policy at the theatre of dreams, Ten Hag offered his own brutal assessment of the situation, claiming that for the Red Devils ‘average is not good enough’.
“The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who are not good enough”, the Red Devils boss explained.
“Most purchases have been average - and at Manchester United average is not good enough.
United’s shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here.”
Ten Hag has already begun a clearout, with 13 players leaving last summer and a similar amount expected to do so again this summer.
Meanwhile, their January focus remains on a striker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, whose contract with the club was terminated. However, the main issue is finances, with a loan move more likely than a permanent one at present, while Ten Hag has been keen to stress the importance of personality as well as ability.
“It’s always difficult. Strikers are expensive, especially in the winter”, he explained.
But you have to set the limits high. We’re looking for it. We need to be creative and do everything we have in our power to get the right players in, who are fitting in the balance.”
“It’s about timing and availability. It’s about so many circumstances playing a role in that”.
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