Erik ten Hag makes worrying Man Utd transfer admission amid takeover uncertainty

Erik ten Hag has admitted he ‘doesn’t know’ what transfer funds Manchester United will have at their disposal this summer.

The increasing uncertainty surrounding the future ownership of the club means any hope of a takeover decision being reached soon looks unlikely. The United boss is keen to get things wrapped up early in the window, but that will be almost impossible if the saga continues over the next few weeks.

Asked about the matter on Wednesday, Ten Hag said he ‘needs funds’ to construct a squad, but remains unaware what financing will be available for new recruits in the upcoming window.

“No, I don’t have [any assurances over transfer funds]. I don’t have influence on that also, I don’t know,” he said ahead of the clash with Brighton & Hove Albion.

“So the only thing that I know is that Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs and it is among two to three of the biggest clubs in the world from a fanbase perspective. I think this club has to compete for the highest [honours] in the world: Champions League and Premier League.

“But for that, you need funds to construct squads because, at the end of the day, the levels from your players dictate whether you are a success or not.

“I think it is clear what I want but it is not up to me,” Ten Hag added, when asked whether he hopes the situation will be resolved soon. “It’s about others in the club and finally it is only the owners who can make that decision. So it is not up to me and I can do everything I can, and I influence the processes I am in charge of.”

Ten Hag also explained that he did not lift a green and gold scarf on Sunday as a form of anti-Glazer protest. The Dutchman picked the scarf off the ground following the win over Aston Villa and gestured to the crowd, with some interpreting it as a subtle dig against the Glazer administration.

But the former Ajax boss clarified the situation on Wednesday. “No, it was just polite,” he said. “But I know what is going around and what the symbol of it is, but this matter was just polite.”