Erik ten Hag may have to repeat unpopular Manchester United transfer trick in January

Manchester United will seemingly have to sell to buy when the transfer market re-opens next month and it could be a quiet January for Erik ten Hag and key figures behind the scenes.

Ten Hag splashed out £183million combined on Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund this summer, but United have been hit and ,predominantly, miss on the field so far. But there is not much in the coffers to improve their squad and make necessary winter adjustments.

It feels a bit like Groundhog Day for Ten Hag and United in that sense. Upon his appointment last summer, the ex-Ajax manager spent big at first chance and then had to rely on the bargain basement when January rolled around.

ALSO READ: United outcast Sancho should listen to honest Varane advice

ALSO READ: Only one United centre-back is certain to remain next season

While loan swoops for Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst were well intentioned, United got little extra from those three players in the second part of last season. Sabitzer did perhaps have that capacity to force a permanent move, otherwise it was quantity over quality.

Supporters have been 'warned' by key figures at United not to expect too much excitement next month due to lingering concerns over Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. But there are a few moving parts at play. Investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe is pending and that might yet give them a cash injection.

United are also open to receiving offers for five players. Donny van de Beek is on his way to Germany as Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial - deemed as sellable assets - all face uncertain futures with change on the horizon at boardroom level.

However, barring a sharp U-turn as and when Ratcliffe gets down to