Manager Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United’s substantial spending in the transfer market is on par with other top clubs.
During his first summer in charge, the Dutchman made six new signings, totaling £210m in expenditures, which included players like Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Christian Eriksen.
Additionally, the team acquired loan signings like Martin Dubravka, Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer, and Wout Weghorst.
This summer, United’s spending continued with the acquisition of Mason Mount from Chelsea for an initial fee of £55m and Andre Onana for £47m. The club are also close to securing Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for a potential £72m fee.
When questioned about whether the increased investment adds pressure on him and his players, Ten Hag emphasised that Manchester United are not the only team splurging in the market.
Despite the near-£400m spending spree, Ten Hag clarified that this does not automatically make United title contenders for the upcoming Premier League season.
“In comparison with the other [teams], we are not doing more or less,” said Ten Hag.
“They all invested a lot in their teams. I’m not focusing on this issue because it’s totally, for me, unattractive.
“I have to think about my way of play and how I improve my team. I will fight for players who I want to have in and I will demand from the club to get the right players in and when we have that, we have to get results.
“I think in pre-season we shouldn’t talk about that [the title]. I think no one in the Premier League can do that, [except] maybe City.
“They can do that because for the last six years they won the title five times. So they can talk about that but any other club must first compete for the first four positions and make sure you are getting in the first four.
“And then, after, the first two and then maybe you can see about getting yourself in such a position. But don’t talk about that achievement.
“I think we have proven we can beat them, but you have to do it every day and in this moment, we have a way to go.
“City are also winning their games much more easily than we did, so I see the facts. But I actually don’t want to talk about them because it sounds negative, and it’s not the way I meant it. I want to talk about our project. I want to talk about how we improve and I think the improvements last year and the results were quite obvious but also in the performance.
“It was quite obvious that we could beat the big opponents and also City. In the three games, you saw absolutely that we increased the levels against them.
“We are looking at ourselves and not looking at other teams. We have a competition with seven, eight clubs in the Premier League, across Europe even more teams, so we have to work on our way of play and improve our performance. It has to be optimum.”
