Erik ten Hag eyeing more signings in January despite Man Utd ‘overspending’ this summer
Erik ten Hag is reportedly eyeing more winter recruits at Manchester United despite overspending in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils were one of the most active clubs in the market during the opening months of the Dutchman’s tenure, sanctioning the permanent arrivals of Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Antony, Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez for a total upwards of £200million.
And while Ten Hag, 52, was always going to spearhead a summer revolution, following his appointment on April 21, the Glazer family had set aside £100m for the former Ajax manager to spend in the window – not including profits made from player sales.
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However, sitting in the relegation zone after a 4-0 drubbing at Brentford, the Old Trafford hierarchy decided that immediate action was needed, equipping Ten Hag with another multi-million-pound war chest.
Failing to land No1 target Frenkie de Jong, the 52-year-old then decided to go all out for another of his ex-Ajax stars, sealing an £86m deal for Antony, who arrived as the second most-expensive signing in Man Utd history – behind Paul Pogba.
But, despite the £100m overspending in the summer window, Ten Hag is already plotting another spending spree in four months’ time.
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According to The Athletic, the Dutchman is planning on using the international break to evaluate his squad and assess where the Red Devils need to strengthen in the January market. “We have many meetings — we have to improve the structures in and around the club,” said Ten Hag recently. “And we will also look to the window in January or next summer already.”
If their upward trajectory continues, United have taken maximum points since the West London walloping, Ten Hag is likely to be afforded some financial leeway to ensure Champions League football next term.
A right-back has been earmarked as the next priority to upgrade the squad with Aaron Wan-Bissaka featuring for just four minutes this season. Though another winger was deemed more favourable on Deadline Day due to Diogo Dalot’s upturn in form.
The sale of Cristiano Ronaldo would also boost the January budget by £30m.
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