Ten Hag sticking to Man Utd transfer script after director's January comments

08 January 2023 , 16:22

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Erik ten Hag is sticking to the script set for him by Manchester United chiefs

Erik ten Hag appears to be sticking to the script handed to him by Manchester United football director John Murtogh in December.

The Dutchman has so far focused his attention on signing back-ups in the January transfer window. Goalkeeper Jack Butland has already arrived with Wout Weghorst expected to follow the Englishman to Old Trafford in the coming days.

Neither player is likely to be a front-line option for the Red Devils, instead they will come in to provide secondary options to Ten Hag's starters. The decision to employ that strategy comes as little shock though, given Murtogh's comments last month.

Speaking at a fans' forum, the United football director admitted his focus was on the summer window, rather than on doing deals in January. And he warned fans that it would be difficult to bring top players in to Old Trafford in the winter window.

"As always, the main focus remains on the summer window, and we’re already well underway with our planning for next summer. January is a difficult time to find players that teams are willing to let go," Murtough said.

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"It’s no secret that we’re looking for a new centre forward. We’ll see what’s possible in January but. We only want to bring in players who are good enough, and who will make the squad stronger.

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Ten Hag sticking to Man Utd transfer script after director's January comments

John Murtough had previously warned that United would not be busy this month (Manchester United via Getty Images)

"We’re not going to sign players for the sake of making signings. You also need to remember that we invested over £200 million in the squad last summer and, as a club, we need to remain financially disciplined and compliant with FFP rules. So, while we will be exploring options, I don’t expect it to be a busy January window on the men’s side."

Murtough also warned fans that the Red Devils were ahead of schedule in their overhaul of the squad. And that means they are unlikely to be busy for several of the upcoming windows.

"We ended the summer slightly ahead of where we expected to be in terms of the number of players brought in, so we don’t anticipate the same level of activity in future windows," Murtough added.

"We will continue to strengthen. The next step was reshaping the squad and we worked closely with Erik throughout the summer to agree on who to bring in, and who we would allow to leave."

Since those comments from Murtough, Ten Hag has slammed United's past recruitment decisions. And he pinpointed their struggles in recent years as resulting from signing "average" players.

“Manchester United didn't exactly have the fear factor last season. There was no spirit. I saw no team dynamic in the squad. The mental resilience was very low. I saw that as an outsider - and also noticed it in my first weeks at the club," he told Voetbol International.

Ten Hag has also slammed United's past transfer dealings

“I looked at the culture of the club. I asked: 'How did Manchester United become great?’ 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.”