Erik ten Hag reveals transfer window frustrations as Man Utd miss out on target due to FFP

Erik ten Hag has admitted he wanted to sign a striker in the January window but was unable to due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) limitations.

As reported by ManchesterWorld, the Manchester United boss was keen to bring in a stopgap option up top following Anthony Martial’s surgery last month, which will keep the Frenchman out until around April.

But the club’s alarming financial situation, and the need to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), prevented Ten Hag from making any moves in a window that saw 14 players leave on loan and two permanent exits, as United tried to lower their wage bill.

The lack of incomings also leaves the Red Devils with Rasmus Hojlund as the only recognised centre-forward in the squad over the coming months, and issue Ten Hag hopes that decision does not come back to bite him.

“It’s not a secret I wanted a striker,” explained the former Ajax manager, speaking just minutes after the window had closed. “With the injury to Martial we don’t really have the back-up. But it wasn’t possible because we have to match the FFP rules.”

United weren’t the only club limited by FFP and PSR in January. Everton’s 10-point deduction has focused the attention of several sides on ensuring they don’t fall foul of the laws, with Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers among the club hampered by the regulations during the mid-season window.

Spending from Premier League clubs dropped from £815m in January 2023, to just £100m last month, the lowest since 2011/12. It's an issue that's caused much debate in recent week, and Ten Hag said there are issues with a system that incentivises clubs to weaken their squads.

“There are some disadvantages with FFP. To make space for FFP, you have to sell players and you have to sell good players and I don't think that's the way you build a team.”