- Manchester United are set to be restricted with their spending this summer
- But Erik ten Hag is hopeful the club’s new regime will be able to splash the cash
- It’s that time of the season! Who are the top five players of the season? Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has urged the club to spend big again this summer and voiced his frustration over a frugal winter transfer window.
United’s ability to splash the cash ahead of next season is set to be affected by the club’s heavy past outlay – with around £380million invested on players since Ten Hag’s arrival in 2022 – and the need to comply with profit and sustainability rules.
Ten Hag is believed to have held several recruitment meetings to plan ahead despite his future at Old Trafford looking increasingly perilous. United are eighth and have missed out on Champions League football – a significant blow to their finances.
The new regime – led by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and incoming CEO Omar Berrada – are expected to lead a wide-sweeping overhaul at United as they look to improve their mixed track record in recruitment and return the club back to the top.
But Ten Hag has made no secret of his desire for a deeper squad, with United having been hit by 62 separate cases of illness and injury so far this campaign.
Erik ten Hag has demanded another big-spending summer at Manchester United
Part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (right) will lead an overhaul at Old Trafford with Ten Hag in danger
Striker Rasmus Hojlund arrived last summer and is exempt from any future United fire sale
‘Yes, that is one of the issues in constructing the squad,’ he said, ‘where we have to improve, to do things better to construct a squad where we have more depth.
‘I think the most important thing is to return players and to get them back. In many positions we created depth and now in some positions we don’t have choices.
‘For instance, the left back position. (Luke) Shaw only 15 starts this season so far and (Tyrell) Malacia zero starts. Not even available.’
Malacia has been out of action all season after twice undergoing knee surgery but was initially expected to return in January, placing the burden on Shaw.
‘Left back…