Erik ten Hag has pleaded for patience at Manchester United because of the club’s reliance on younger players due to financial restrictions.
Ten Hag is in the firing line against Tottenham today having won only three games out of seven - against Fulham, Southampton and League One Barnsley.
However, the Dutchman insists his plan needs time with United no longer in the market for established stars like Casemiro and Raphael Varane.
The club posted a loss of £113.2million for 2023/24 this month – their fifth consecutive deficit – to highlight the difficulty of meeting Premier League and UEFA rules.
‘Where we are now with this squad but all the restrictions we had, we have done good work,’ said ten Hag.
‘I understand the impression that many have for Manchester United because the history is so big but we made the choice for younger players and you can’t expect them to be at the level.
‘Those are choices we have made and also it has something to do with financials and other restrictions we have to deal with.
‘We have to improve them (younger players) and they have to improve themselves and we have to find a team that can be successful on a consistent basis.’
None of United’s outfield signings who have cost £35million in the last couple of years have been aged over 25, headed by striker Rasmus Hojlund and teenage defender Leny Yoro.
In the previous two years, they bought Champions League winners Casemiro and Varane from Real Madrid for a combined £100million, with little resale value.
Homegrown talent like Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho have also been incorporated into the team and should new signing 23-year-old Manuel Ugarte replace Christian Eriksen this afternoon, the average age of United’s line-up will be the lowest of ten Hag’s tenure.
Even so, there is huge pressure on the manager with the team mid-table.
The club has posted five consecutive financial losses, splashing more than £600million in the Dutchman's reign, and the club are no longer in the market for established stars
‘We have high targets and we want to achieve them for this season and the years beyond,’ he said.
‘This team has shown in the last two years what they can do with patience. With patience we can win trophies and now we have to get more consistent.’