Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag defends financial fair play rules amid Saturday’s opponent Everton’s 10-point penalty for breaching it
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag defended the financial fair play and the 10-point penalty on Everton for breaching it. United play Everton in the Premier League clash at Goodison Park on Saturday after the official announcement of the penalty.
The Premier League officially announced the 10-point penalty against Everton for breaching the FFP rules related to the 2021-22 season. An independent commission took over the case in March as the hearing took place in October.
Currently, last season’s treble winners Manchester City are facing 115 charges which they have denied. Moreover, many experts have questioned Chelsea’s spending spree since new ownership under Toad Boehly took over the club. They have not faced any charges at this stage but the unprecedented punishment has cast a big doubt over them.
Speaking to reporters (h/t BBC), Ten Hag revealed the importance of adhering to the FFP rules that promote fairness. He said:
“It gives you limitations. You tell me ‘bring this player in’, but you have to match the FFP rules, in those rules you have to construct the best squad possible. When you set such rules everyone has to match the rules because otherwise it’s not fair.”
United faced a €300,000 fine by UEFA for financial fair play breaches over a four-year period between 2019 and 2022. The Red Devils accepted the fine and described it as “a minor break-even deficit” during July this year.
The FFP rules restricted United during the summer transfer window during the deadline day as they resorted to loan deals. The Red Devils signed first-team players like Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon on loan to adhere to the FFP rules.
However, Ten Hag has enjoyed a substantial amount of financial backing since joining United during the summer of 2022. The Dutchman has spent around €450m since joining the club and enjoyed power over the players he desired.
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At Goodison, United must proceed cautiously as Everton plans to retaliate following the point deduction. Justifiably, the Merseyside club feels anger as there are clubs that have committed bigger breaches than theirs. Ten Hag’s men need to continue their winning form in order to continue their challenge for the top four position.
