Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag hasn't shied away from making transfer comments and aiming digs this week ahead of the meeting with Chelsea on Thursday. The two clubs have become intertwined with potential movements between the club and similar targets this summer and have some key similarities heading into the match.
Although United are all but confirmed as having secured a top four spot and Frank Lampard's side are condemned to a bottom half finish - with the chance of falling as low as 14th - the two clubs are both owned by Americans with anger from fans on each side.
Whereas the Glazers are seemingly on their way out, Todd Boehly and Co are still getting their feet under the table but haven't tiptoed around English football in their opening 12-months in charge. The new owners have had far from a perfect induction to the Premier League after being widely ridiculed, and Ten Hag has joined the crowd flocking to point out their mistakes.
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As two of the clubs that have spent the most money on transfers in the past decade the success of both teams has been lower than expected for such large outlays, and Ten Hag admitted it takes more than just funding to win on the pitch. "When there is no strategy or [not] the right strategy, money doesn’t work," said Ten Hag.
United themselves have been told that the scattergun approach from Boehly-Clearlake is a blueprint to avoid if the takeover at Old Trafford happens, and Ten Hag explained why it's important to go beyond a Harlem Globetrotters approach.
"In this moment a centralisation of good players, of the best managers, also the money, is all here in the UK, and that makes a great competition but also a tough and a hard competition," he said. "You have to do the right things, you can have money but you have to spend it in a smart way and you need to have a strategy behind it, otherwise the money doesn’t work."
United could ironically be set to benefit from the biggest error of the Chelsea owners' maiden year in charge. With Mason Mount's contract issues still unresolved heading into the end of the season, the Red Devils are now said to be his preferred destination should a sale be sanctioned.
He would be able to leave for free in just over 12 months, a situation that the owners are not prepared to entertain, so he faces an ultimatum of signing a new contract after months of stalemates and loggerhead talks or moving to another club. United, alongside Arsenal and Liverpool, are keen to snap him up..
Ten Hag hasn't passed comment on Mount specifically but did open up on what he is looking for from any new additions. "I want to have players with the right personalities who are outstanding and contribute on the highest levels," he admitted. "That is what we want and what we have to work for."
He was also asked about rumours linked United with a move for Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar, another player Boehly has been interested in adding to the Chelsea squad since last summer. "When we have news, we will tell you," said Ten Hag, steering clear of the subject.
Former Tottenham striker Darren Bent did address the topic or Neymar and Mount, however, saying that the Englishman would be a better signing for United but not for the same price of £80million. "I 100% totally agree with that," he said on talkSPORT.
"Even though Neymar is a better player, I think Mason Mount would be a better fit in and around the dressing room, never gives you any problems. You know exactly what you're getting, you don't have to worry on a Friday night, 'is my phone going to ring?' because Mason Mount is in trouble again.
"You don't have to worry about any of that because he's a model professional. People that I know that know him and watching him at Derby, he's always trying to make himself better, always available, he's got good character, got good nature."
He added that £40million would be a good price to get him for, though it would be more if he had longer left on his contract. "Then he's young, he's English, so he's going to be £70million-£80million easily. But not £80million for one year left on his contract.
"I think he gets into any top team's squad. I'm not saying he starts for every team because I don't think he does, but I think at a better price.
"Because I'm not paying £80million for no player with one year left on his contract - especially in a season where they have got three goals."
Chelsea are not only attempting to beat United off the pitch with transfers and ownership organisation but also have the task of winning at Old Trafford in a bit to end the season on a higher note than they have had for the rest of a torturous campaign.
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