'Not fair' - Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag sends message over Premier League financial rules

Erik ten Hag insists the Premier League's financial regulations must be followed by all 20 clubs to avoid a lack of fairness in the competition.

Manchester United will head into the Goodison Park bear pit on Sunday, with Everton officials and supporters furious at being handed a 10-point deduction for breaching the profit and sustainability rules. Manchester City are awaiting their fate having been charged with 115 breaches of the rules, which are now being investigated by an independent commission.

Chelsea are also being investigated over historic breaches from the Roman Abramovich area and although Everton have reacted angrily to their own punishment, it is a sign the Premier League are prepared to come down strongly on any club who fall on the wrong side of their financial rules.

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United have avoided any sanctions and the club had to walk a tightrope in the previous two transfer windows to fall into line with financial fair play requirements, which affected the budget available to Ten Hag to strengthen his squad. That's why the Dutchman was restricted to three loan signings in January, in Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst, and United's failure to raise a significant sum from sales meant they had to sign Sofyan Amrabat on loan on deadline day, rather than in a permanent transfer.

Everton described themselves as "shocked and disappointed" by the ruling of the Premier League commission and have confirmed their intention to appeal, while their fans will mark the 10th minute of Sunday's game with a protest against the league.

While Ten Hag insisted he didn't know the