Erik ten Hag questions Man United hierarchy following failure to invest in January window

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has questioned the work of the club’s hierarchy after they failed to invest during the January transfer window earlier this season.

The Reds secured third place in the Premier League on Sunday after a 2-1 win against Fulham and have an FA Cup Final against Manchester City coming up next week.

However, cast yourselves back to mid-January and Ten Hag’s side were not far behind City or Arsenal – who were leading the league at the time. Only eight points separated the three sides and United were just three points away from Pep Guardiola’s side.

Whilst a title challenge was likely premature for those at Old Trafford, it was not completely out of the question. Yet the lack of decisive action in the January window cost United a potential title challenge and it almost cost them a position in the top four.

Despite there being a clear need for a solid striker, United brought in three loan signings: Wout Weghorst as a planned backup to Anthony Martial, Marcel Sabitzer and Jack Butland.

Weghorst would go onto start over 20 games in a row after signing for the club due to Martial’s injury issues, scoring just twice across all competitions, whilst Sabitzer would only impress in a more advanced position before falling to injury himself on two occasions. Butland did not make an appearance for the club.

Ten Hag has stressed that those at Old Trafford are aware of the need to invest into the squad in the Premier League, when all teams are constantly improving. He also mentioned his pride that United were able to secure third place despite their tragic January window.

“The club knows if you want to play top-four and compete for trophies in this tough league then you have to invest otherwise you don’t have a chance because other clubs will do,” the United boss stated.

“We’ve seen it in the winter. All the clubs around us made huge investments and we didn’t. But still we made it, so I’m proud of my team.”