Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has slammed the club’s previous transfer businesses and has labelled them as “average.”
Since taking on the managing duties for the Red Devils, Ten Hag has shown a strict mentality towards his duties. His handling of Harry Maguire’s exile from the first team and the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer drama was impressive.
He gave an open and frank assessment of United’s business throughout the transfer window before his arrival, although he was also extremely critical of it.
As reported by The Mirror, the Dutch boss said:
“The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who have not been good enough.”
“Most purchases have been average – and at United average is not good enough. United’s shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here.”
“We needed personalities. That’s why the acquisition of Casemiro was so important. Along with Raphael Varane, we now have a second player who has experience in winning titles.”
“(Tyrell) Malacia, (Lisandro) Martinez, Casemiro, Antony are all fighters, while Christian Eriksen is a technical winner and a great personality. We want the best of the best. Any players we bring to Manchester United must meet the highest standard.”
Manchester United’s Poor Transfer Strategy Needs To Change
The Red Devils have spent more than £1 billion on player transfers since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, yet they have not come close to winning the Premier League.
Many well-known players have joined United but haven’t been successful on the field. With much hype, a number of players—including Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Morgan Schneiderlin, and Angel Di Maria—arrived before falling behind the curve.
United paid an £89 million transfer fee to sign Juventus star Paul Pogba, but it was not worth his time at Old Trafford, despite the highs he experienced there. Ten Hag signed four quality players for £220 million in the last summer transfer window.
Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro have emerged as the leaders during the last six months, and they have all but guaranteed their success. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen and Antony continue to impress fans with their instant impact. The manager’s desire for players who are excelling at other teams is admirable, but it’s also encouraging to see that he also considers whether they can handle the demands of representing United.
The Red Devils could regain their former glory with a couple more fruitful transfer windows.
