Erik ten Hag has labelled Manchester United’s transfer business in the years before his appointment as “average” and claimed that only players who “can perform under great pressure” will survive at the club.
United spent £225million on six new arrivals this summer during Ten Hag’s first window in charge. Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen, Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Antony and Martin Dubravka (on loan) all walked through the doors of Old Trafford as the Dutchman started the first phase of his rebuild at the club.
Dubravka has since returned to Newcastle, but the other five squad additions have all helped United improve in some way shape or form this season. Eriksen, Casemiro, Martinez and Antony have all become prominent members of the first-team and raised the levels of those playing around them.
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Although United’s manager will look to bring in further reinforcements during the January window, he is keen to avoid the mistakes that he saw the club making before his arrival.
Ten Hag told Dutch outlet Voetbal International (via 90min ): “Manchester United didn’t exactly have the fear factor last season. There was no spirit. I saw no team dynamic in the squad. The mental resilience was very low. I saw that as an outsider – and also noticed it in my first weeks at the club.
“I looked at the culture of the club. I asked: ‘How did Manchester United become great?’
“The club has bought an unimaginable number of players in recent years who have not been good enough. Most purchases have been average – and at United average is not good enough. United’s shirt weighs heavily. Only real personalities, who can perform under great pressure, can play here.”
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