Erik ten Hag claims Manchester United have ‘missed’ two transfer windows since he joined the club
He feels an opportunity was missed on two occasions.
Erik ten Hag took a thinly-veiled dig at Manchester United’s majority owners, the Glazer family, by saying the club have ‘missed’ two transfer windows since he was appointed manager.
The Dutchman was appointed in April 2022, and his first summer at the club saw United spend over £230m to recruit the likes of Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
But that January saw loan signings in the form of Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst, despite United losing Cristiano Ronaldo a month before the window opened.
United spent heavily again last summer, with £160m being splashed out on Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.
But the Red Devils made two further loan signings, with Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon joining the club.
In January, despite an injury crisis engulfing the club, United failed to sign a single player.
Asked how much work United have to do this summer given their on-pitch failure this term, Ten Hag said: ‘There’s always a lot of work (to be done).
‘It’s normal when you go into a transfer window…but we’ve had injuries and they’ve had a big impact.
‘We know we are below our levels of expectations that Manchester United have so we have to catch up.
‘I’m now going into my fifth window (at United) I think. Two windows were quite okay, two we missed.
‘We have to make new improvements this summer but also there is a base in this squad that is very good. The injuries have had a big impact on our season.’
Jason Wilcox has joined the club from Southampton and has been appointed as technical director.
Wilcox will eventually report into Dan Ashworth, but the Newcastle director of football remains on gardening leave and Wilcox will therefore take on a bigger role this summer.
‘We talk every day from now, from last week,’ said Ten Hag.
‘In a very short period we (Ten Hag and Wilcox) have to build an intense relationship, we are working now to a plan, we had a plan already before he stepped in and of course we have to get aligned . It takes time but we don’t have so much time.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Manchester United news, exclusives and analysis
