Erik ten Hag has spoken to the Manchester United hierarchy about the potential of signing some players in the winter transfer window, which opens in January, confirms The Athletic’s David Ornstein. This comes after the Dutchman was allowed over £200 million in transfer fees to sign six players in the recently-closed summer transfer window.
Erik ten Hag’s Urgency for Manchester United January Signings Can Be Delayed
⚽️ Clubs explore #UCL games beyond Europe @AdamCrafton_
⚽️ Ten Hag eyes Jan deals but #MUFC summer @lauriewhitwell
⚽️ Bowen’s next #ENG cap earns Allams £1m @PJBuckingham
⚽️ Bamba wants #CCFC job but Hudson to get time
⚽️ #Boro take #CPFC scout @domfifieldhttps://t.co/7IbXyhTJBf— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 18, 2022
United Executives Having a Difference in Opinion With Ten Hag Over Winter Signings
The Dutch manager hinted that he will use this international window to discuss signings for January with the club, saying after the 2-0 win over Sheriff Tiraspol: “We have many meetings — we have to improve the structures in and around the club. And we will also look to the window in January or next summer already.”
Ten Hag is keen to move onto the next stage of his rebuild process at Old Trafford after being delivered all his desired targets in the summer, adds Ornstein. However, he might have to accept certain budget realities when it comes to the next transfer window.
Read More: Erik Ten Hag Has Plans to ‘Sculpt’ Aaron Wan-Bissaka
It’s claimed that co-owner Joel Glazer, CEO Richard Arnold and Director of Football John Murtough are all focused on spending heavily in the 2023 summer transfer window and will only make significant transfer fees available for Ten Hag after the current season is over.
Looks like such a toxic presence. No wonder Ten Hag doesn't like Ronaldo.🤷🏽♂️😉 pic.twitter.com/UBgdvMT9Vp
— The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) September 14, 2022
United’s Recent Winter Transfer Windows History Recapped
The Red Devils have shown a pattern of heavily investing in the summer transfer windows, but staying quiet when it comes to January. They haven’t made many significant investments in improving their first-team squad in the winter transfer windows for the last five years, with the signing of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon in 2022 being a rare exception.
Read More: Manchester United Made Transfer Enquiry for Atletico Madrid Star Joao Felix in Summer
Ornstein indicates that if the Manchester side are able to sell some unwanted players in the winter window, then the money that is received from those sales will be made available for Ten Hag to use, if he wants.
For now, United’s executives aren’t too keen on making major funds available for the winter after the club ranked second in most transfer fees paid for players in the 2022 summer window. However, they are happy with the work done by the Dutchman’s six signings so far and will trust his judgement when it comes to future acquisitions as well.
