Erik ten Hag makes admission on Manchester United signings in last 10 years

Erik ten Hag believes Manchester United is the most difficult club to play for in world football.

United's recruitment hit rate has been particularly appalling since the then-world record £80million sale of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, but it has generated particularly intense scrutiny since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward became a widely derided figure due to his slapdash dealings in the transfer market, with former managers David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all unimpressed. The appointment of an inaugural football director in John Murtough in March 2021 has also made little palpable difference to United's strategy.

United have been criticised for yielding to Ten Hag's demands over playing personnel and six of their 10 permanent signings under the Dutchman have played in the Eredivisie.

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Ten Hag has had unprecedented backing at United, who have spent more than £400million across two summer transfer windows and arranged for six loans - as many as the club negotiated in the 25 years before Ten Hag's appointment.

One Eredivisie alumni who has not enjoyed privileges under Ten Hag is his former Ajax charge Donny van de Beek, who left on loan for Eintracht Frankfurt last week after playing 19 minutes this season.

Van de Beek, 26, was a Ballon d'Or nominee in 2019 after his influential role in Ajax's domestic double triumph and progression to the Champions League semi-finals, but his career has flatlined since he moved to United in a £40m deal in September 2020.

When asked if Van de Beek could be a deterrent for other young