Erik ten Hag called into question Manchester United’s recent transfer spending saying an incredible amount of signings were just average. He told vi.nl via the sun
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.
We needed personalities. That’s why the acquisition of Casemiro was so important. Along with Raphael Varane, we now have a second player who has experience of winning titles.
Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony are all fighters, while Christian Eriksen is a technical winner and a great personality.
We want the best of the best. Any players we bring to Manchester United must meet the highest standard.
He further contrasted how far the club had fallen by questioning and answering how United became great under Sir Alex Ferguson.
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?’
And for me, it was about Sir Alex Ferguson. His teams excelled in togetherness, collectivity, spirit. You just couldn’t beat them.
United always had top strikers like Cantona, Cole, Sheringham, Yorke, Van Nistelrooy, Van Persie. And top goalkeepers like Schmeichel, Van der Sar, De Gea.
In the centre, there were big personalities like Jaap Stam, Vidic, Rio Ferdinand. And always a strategist in midfield.
Roy Keane, the boss. Paul Scholes, a magnificent footballer and personality. And think of players like Ryan Giggs or David Beckham.