Manchester United will continue to back manager Erik ten Hag in the transfer market after spending a club record £220million this summer.
United’s football director John Murtough promised more funds for Ten Hag following the arrivals of Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia and Martin Dubravka.
However, Murtough warned that United are unlikely to make as many signings in a single transfer window in future after moving ahead of schedule, and will aim to do most of their business in the summer rather than January.
‘During the summer, we made significant investment in the first team squad with the permanent addition of five regular starters, including a balance of experienced international players and younger, emerging talent,’ he said.
‘We also saw a higher-than-usual number of departures, and this was an equally important part of refreshing the squad after the disappointing 2021-22 season.
‘We will continue to support Erik in ensuring he has players with the right quality and characters to achieve success, while ensuring that investment remains consistent with our commitment to financial sustainability.
‘Overall, we are ahead of schedule in our recruitment plans as envisaged at the start of the summer, and we do not anticipate the same level of activity in future windows. As always, our planning focuses on the summer window.’
Murtough believes that Ten Hag has already justified the club’s decision to appoint him as manager, adding: ‘After a thorough search and due diligence process it was clear to us that Erik was the strongest candidate, based on his outstanding coaching record, his commitment to the proactive, attacking football we want to play, and the vision and ambition he showed for the role.
‘There is still a long way to go, but we have already seen, during his first four months in charge, an increased unity, focus and drive that bodes well for the future.’