Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag insists he isn't responsible for approving big-money moves for Antony, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Andre Onana.
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Ten Hag has spent over £400mMany signings haven't worked outINEOS keen to improve recruitmentWHAT HAPPENED?
While United remain on a high following their surprise FA Cup success, questions are still being asked of Ten Hag, whose team flattered to deceive for much of the campaign. This is despite the Dutchman spending more than £400m ($510m/€470m) on new signings, including those of Antony, Casemiro and Mount – three players who haven't repaid United on the pitch.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Ten Hag's signings haven't worked, but thankfully United's academy continues to do so. Graduates Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho both enjoyed breakthrough seasons, and capped it off by scoring in the 2-1 FA Cup final win over rivals City.
WHAT TEN HAG SAID
Ten Hag insists he isn't to blame for United's excessive outlay, instead appearing to point the finger at the old administration – former chief executive Richard Arnold and ex-football director John Murtough.
"The prices paid for players are indeed very high – but I am not responsible for that," he said, per the . "The club did all the negotiations, including with very good potential players who didn't come in the end.
"So it is all a bit more nuanced than the picture that is being painted that the purchase policy is disastrous. It's all negative, but despite all the problems, the foundation at the club has grown stronger. That may not all be visible to the outside world now, but everyone internally will make that analysis."
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR UNITED?
The FA Cup win might have given Ten Hag, who was all but certain to depart had it not gone United's way, a lifeline. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team, which includes Sir Dave Brailsford and interim chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc, must now decide whether Ten Hag really is the manager to lead them into the future.