“Mail on Sunday” by Joe Bernstein
February 17, 2024 22:30, updated February 17, 2024 22:57
- Man United’s squad was worth £1.21bn last season – before they splurged in the summer
- Erik ten Hag claimed talented youngster could spare United transfer fee
- Ian Ladyman: If I needed a new heart, I’d want Harry Maguire’s! Listen to the podcast ‘Everything Kicked Off’
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hopes the club’s next generation of star players can save big on transfer fees after a study revealed his team are the most expensive in the world I’m here.
According to a UEFA report, it cost United £1.21bn to build their squad last season, but they have since spent a further £175m on signings Rasmus Hjølund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana. That’s what it means.
The recent impressive performances of academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Koby Mainu have raised questions about why they signed players like Jadon Sancho (£73m) and Anthony (£85m) in the first place.
Ten Hag confirmed that the club’s traditional policy of promoting from within, dating back to the days of Sir Matt Busby, will remain firmly in place under his stewardship, with Dan Ashworth appointed as sporting director. He said he plans to do so.
United famously have had at least one born-again player in every first team since 1937, but there has been a change in approach since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, leading to significant spending on freshmen. It obstructed the player’s path.
“Man United have always been a buying club, but I think history has shown that if a player is worth signing, they will be given a chance through the academy. It’s in our DNA.” – Hug said.
“We are coaching them and when we give them a chance they progress very quickly and take the team to a higher level. We can take the big steps that Coby and Garnacho have achieved in the last few months. I think there are other players out there.”
Ten Hag recently included 16-year-old left-back Harry Amass in first-team training, along with 18-year-old Lewis Jackson, who was part of Manchester United’s 2022 FA Youth Cup-winning squad alongside Garnacho.
Mainu and Garnacho have been some of United’s most influential players this season and are a big reason why they visit Luton on Sunday as they look to make it five wins in a row.
Optimism is once again rising for a top-four finish, but Ten Hag won’t be looking too far ahead.
“It would be premature to say we have turned a corner,” he assessed. “We’re back in the race but we’re not there yet. We’re not where we want to be at this club – top four at least.
“We need to catch up, but I think we’re moving in the right direction now. I always thought we had the quality to play in the top four in this team.”