Why Manchester United spent so much late in the transfer window

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has suggested there was a shift in the club's transfer market movement after the Premier League season started.

United began the campaign short of priority targets in midfield and attack but lost 2-1 at home to Brighton in their opening fixture and were humbled 4-0 at Brentford six days later.

On the same day as the Brighton result, United had an €8million bid rejected for journeyman forward Marko Arnautovic and United agreed a fee rising to £20m for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot three weeks ago.

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Having failed with approaches for those economical targets, United spent £60m rising to £70m on Casemiro when they had been prepared to go the whole window without signing a defensive midfielder.

On Monday, United announced they had agreed to sign Antony from Ajax for €100m (£85.51m) when the Brazilian was valued at €80m at the start of the summer. Antony has become United's second-most expensive signing after Paul Pogba.

The club made headway on the deals for Casemiro and Antony against a backdrop of febrile supporter protests against the Glazer family's ownership of United.

United's spending for the summer has soared to £225.41m, shattering their previous record in 2014 when they did not break £150m for permanent additions.

Chelsea have invested £233.8m in signings under new owner Todd Boehly while Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham have also broken three figures in the window.

Ten Hag was pointedly asked if more funds were made available after he became the first United manager to lose his first two games in charge since John Chapman in 1921: "It’s difficult to answer that question. It’s hypothetical. You never