Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has already made it clear he needs some help in the January window - if they are to achieve a return to the top four.
Inheriting a squad coming off the club’s worst ever Premier League season, the Dutchman has been tasked with quickly getting the Red Devils back on track. And the early signs have been positive.
Despite turbulence off the pitch, United have been steady on it and going into the break for the World Cup, found themselves in fifth position. However, the ambitious Ten Hag has told those above him that without more investment in the playing personnel, their season could stutter.
Last month, he said “In the front line, the availability of the players is a concern for us. We had to play some other games where we have to improvise to construct a proper offensive line.
“If you can’t do that, then it’s really difficult to get into the first four, if you don’t have the players to construct a proper offensive line.”
That plea came prior to Cristiano Ronaldo ’s acrimonious departure - an exit which has only exacerbated the lack of depth in attacking areas. United scouts have been busily scouring the globe ahead of the January window, undoubtedly casting an eye over events in Qatar.
United have a host of players still competing in the latter stages, including the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford who are thriving for Portugal and England respectively.
And Manchester Evening News report that had things gone differently during the summer window, another of the World Cup’s stars would already be in Ten Hag’s squad. During a Q & A, it was suggested that United were deterred from signing a current international with feedback he was “difficult and lazy”.
And while the name of the individual remains under wraps, the MEN claim that the very same player is now working ‘like a demon’ for his national side. As is the custom with any type of shopping around a major tournament, should United return for him post-World Cup, they will pay a massive premium.
Ten Hag will be eagerly awaiting the green light from the club’s board of directors to establish whether he will be given the valuable funds he needed. Above the manager, there is uncertainty at Old Trafford after the Glazer family announced they were open to ending their stewardship of the club.
The Americans have been in situ at United since 2005, but last month announced they were undergoing "a process to explore strategic alternatives for the club.”
On Thursday, it was confirmed the family will not take a dividend payment - the first time that hasn’t occurred in six years. The note was included as part of their first-quarter fiscal results which showed a 13.6 per cent increase in total revenue.
It is understood the decision to not take the payment was taken in turn due to the significant summer expenditure, which saw Ten Hag bankrolled to the tune of more than £200m.
