Erik ten Hag refuses to take blame for Manchester United's big-money transfer failings

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has insisted that he is not to blame for the club's big-money moves for the likes of Antony and Casemiro during his time at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have spent in excess of £400m since Ten Hag's arrival as head coach, with Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount also among those to recently move to the club.

Hojlund has had a successful first season in English football, but the deals for Antony, Casemiro, Onana and Mount have been criticised due to their difficulties.

Casemiro enjoyed an impressive 2022-23 campaign after arriving from Real Madrid, but his performances this season have dipped, while Onana has had his struggles and Mount has found it difficult to stay fit.

Ten Hag is believed to have been the driving force behind Man United paying Ajax in the region of £82m to sign Brazilian forward Antony in the summer of 2022.

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Antony has found it tough in Manchester

Antony has found it difficult to make his mark at Old Trafford, and he is already being linked with a move away from the club, having managed just 11 goals and five assists in 82 appearances.

Ten Hag has insisted that he is "not responsible" for the inflated transfer fees, with the club taking control of the negotiations for their targets.

"The prices paid for players are indeed very high - but I am not responsible for that. The club did all the negotiations, including with very good potential players who didn't come in the end," The Mirror quotes the Dutchman as saying.

"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.

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Ten Hag's future at Old Trafford remains unclear

"With talents like (Kobbie) Mainoo, (Alejandro) Garnacho, Hojlund and also someone like Amad Diallo, who has developed very strongly, the future looks bright."

Ten Hag managed to deliver the FA Cup trophy this season, with Man United recording a 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the final of the competition last weekend.

The Red Devils finished down in eighth position in the Premier League table, though, and the manager's future at Old Trafford remains unclear heading towards the opening of the summer window.

Ten Hag is planning for the market, though, and he has revealed that a centre-back, central midfielder and a centre-forward are all on his wishlist ahead of next season.

Man United are expected to target young players rather than established stars, with new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe set to move the football department in a different direction.