Erik ten Hag’s Surprising Claim on Man Utd’s Struggles Revealed
Erik ten Hag’s second season at Manchester United has not gone according to plan. Despite spending nearly £200 million this season, the team has struggled to find success in the Premier League and in European competitions. Surprisingly, ten Hag has blamed Financial Fair Play (FFP) for their difficulties.
In his first season at Old Trafford, ten Hag led United to a third-place finish in the Premier League and success in domestic cup competitions. Many believed that the team would build on this momentum and have an even better season in 2023/24. However, they currently find themselves in sixth place, eight points off the top four.
The Red Devils’ hopes of winning the Carabao Cup and the Champions League were dashed as they were knocked out of both competitions. Their Champions League exit was particularly embarrassing, as they failed to make it out of the group stage. With only the FA Cup left to compete for, United’s season has been far from what was expected.
Criticism has been directed at the players, the manager, and the ownership for United’s struggles. However, ten Hag has chosen to point fingers at FFP. He believes that the decision to bring in young players for the future, instead of more experienced ones, was influenced by the financial restrictions imposed by FFP.
Ten Hag’s argument doesn’t hold up when considering the facts. Last summer, he spent a staggering £188 million on seven new players, with an average age of 26. The majority of this money was focused on just three players: Rasmus Hojlund (£72 million), Mason Mount (£55 million), and Andre Onana (£43 million). Only Hojlund can be considered young and inexperienced, yet his transfer fee makes him one of the most expensive players in the club’s history.
It is worth noting that United had the opportunity to sign Harry Kane, a proven and experienced striker, for just £30 million more than they spent on Hojlund. However, they chose not to pursue the deal, and Kane ended up joining Bayern Munich.
Despite the criticism and struggles, ten Hag remains optimistic about United’s future. He has faith in the club’s academy and believes that it can continue to produce talented players who can contribute to the first team. He has been impressed by the impact of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo and sees potential for more youngsters to make their mark.
In conclusion, Erik ten Hag’s surprising claim that FFP is to blame for Manchester United’s struggles does not seem to hold up when considering the amount of money spent on new players. While he may have faith in the club’s academy, it remains to be seen whether relying on young talents will be enough to bring United back to the top of English and European football.