Erik ten Hag wants the Manchester United board to invest in the squad as much as the rivals do

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag feels the board need to back him with investment in the transfer market as much as other clubs do.

After a heavy-spending last summer window where the club managed to snap up key signings such as Casemiro, Antony and Tyrell Malacia, they went missing in the January window.

After the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo during the World Cup, it was clear that the United board backs ten Hag with the money to sign a striker in the mid-season window. But, their primary target Cody Gakpo was snapped up by Liverpool. They had to make do with Wout Weghorst on loan till the end of this season.

Here’s what ten Hag said about this situation (h/t Telegraph):

“The club knows if you want to play top four, compete for trophies in this tough league then you have to invest, otherwise you don’t have a chance because other clubs will do.

“We’ve seen it in the winter. All the clubs around us made huge investments, we didn’t, but still we made it, so I’m proud of my team.”

This is a clear message from the manager to the board that only a top-class summer window can lead to good things happening next season.

Among the positions they may improve with signings, the club must sign a striker before anything else. As of now, only Marcus Rashford seems capable of scoring 20+ goals in a season. Anthony Martial has not done enough and will be on the selling list this summer.

Ten Hag earmarked Tottenham striker Harry Kane as his primary target. Mirror reported that United are convinced a fee of around £100m will be enough to sign the England captain. It remains to be seen whether Daniel Levy will sell his key asset to a direct rival in the league.

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Fred is linked with a move away with Fulham interested. United would consider letting him go in favour of signing a young midfielder. Getting more bodies in that department will be key if the team is to challenge for multiple trophies next season as well.