- Ten Hag believes the club’s strategy of signing younger stars should gain patience
- He believes fans should trust his process amid the club’s “financial restrictions.”
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Erik ten Hag called for patience at Manchester United because the club relies on younger players due to financial restrictions.
Ten Hag is in the firing line against Tottenham today after having won only three games out of seven: against Fulham, Southampton and League One Barnsley.
However, the Dutchman insists his plan needs time as United are no longer in the market for established stars such as Casemiro and Raphael Varane.
The club posted a £113.2m loss for 2023/24 this month, its fifth straight deficit, to highlight the difficulty of complying with Premier League and UEFA rules.
“Where we are now with this team, but with all the restrictions we had, we’ve done a good job,” ten Hag said.
Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United fans to be patient after a difficult start to his third season.
United have only won three of seven games to start the season and the pressure is mounting
“I understand the impression that many have of Manchester United because the history is very great, but we choose younger players and they cannot be expected to be at the level.
‘Those are decisions we have made and they also have something to do with finances and other restrictions we have to deal with.
“We have to improve them (the younger players) and they have to improve themselves and we have to find a team that can be successful on a consistent basis.”
None of United’s £35million outfield signings in recent years are over 25, led by striker Rasmus Hojlund and teenage defender Leny Yoro.
In the previous two years, they bought Champions League winners Casemiro and Varane from Real Madrid for a total of £100m, with little resale value.
Local talents such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have also joined the team and if new signing Manuel Ugarte, 23, replaces Christian Eriksen this afternoon, the average age of United’s line-up will be the lowest in Ten’s history Hagg.
Still, there is enormous pressure on the coach with the team in mid-table.
He explained that the club’s policy of signing young players means fans “can’t expect” success.
The club has recorded five consecutive financial losses, spending more than £600 million during the Dutchman’s reign, and the club is no longer in the market for established stars.
“We have ambitious goals and we want to achieve them for this season and the years to come,” he said.
‘This team has shown in the last two years what it can do with patience. “With patience we can win trophies and now we have to be more consistent.”
