Erik ten Hag ‘dealt January transfer budget blow’ and more Manchester United rumours

Erik ten Hag is set to have his spending budget for January slashed after the club forked out more than £225m this summer.

Christian Eriksen came on a free and Martin Dubravka arrived on loan but the combined cost for Tyrell Malacia, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez and Antony was heavy. The latter moved for a Dutch record transfer of £85m that also became United’s second-most expensive signing ever.

Many fans had called for a revamp of the United squad following their worst-ever Premier League finish in 2021/22. However, the budget for the winter window is set to be far lower than the one Ten Hag was afforded in the summer.

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That’s according to the Athletic, which claims the club spent nearly double of what they had hoped to. Reds chiefs are, as a result, looking towards summer 2023 as their next opportunity for major investment.

Meanwhile, The Athletic also claims that Ten Hag opted to go full force to land Antony after the disastrous start he endured. Losses to Brighton and Brentford prompted the Dutchman to ask the board to pay up for the winger rather than hold some funds for a right-back.

A new player in that position is still thought to be on the agenda despite Diogo Dalot’s improved form with back-up Aaron Wan-Bissaka not favoured. The United board ultimately bent to the will of Ten Hag and were able to secure a move for Antony for a hefty sum in time for deadline day.

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