Manchester United have eight games that could decide their January transfer strategy

Was it a coded message from Erik ten Hag or just the stating of facts, that Manchester United have a January transfer window to come before they truly contemplate next summer?

The Dutchman's comments to MUTV about recruitment plans have certainly heightened interest in the mid-winter window. Ten Hag got what he wanted this summer and given most of his signings have started well, there may be a desire to push on and do more business in January.

United are eyeing a right-back, midfielder and forward still and they might have an eye on the January window as a possible opportunity for more manoeuvring.

READ MORE: Arnautovic is strengthening Ten Hag's hand in transfer plans

Ten Hag certainly felt it was worthy of a mention when he discussed his plans for this international break with MUTV last week.

"Always to use such breaks [is] useful," he said.. "We have many meetings, we have to improve the structures in and around the club, we will do.

"We will also look to the window in January or next summer already but also to improve our way of playing by making plans and, of course, this coming period with every third day a game we have to get ready for that."

United set a new benchmark for the summer window, spending around £225million on new arrivals. Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen have all started well while time is on the side of Casemiro and Antony, who scored on his debut but has been a peripheral presence in three starts so far.

Ten Hag can certainly point to the success of those players who have had time to settle as a reason why he should get further backing, although there is a view in the industry that United ended up overpaying for their targets this summer, a situation exacerbated by