Erik ten Hag is set to be rewarded for his positive start as Manchester United boss with another spending spree in the January window.
The Dutchman has already been backed to the tune of more than £200million since he was named as the new permanent boss at the start of the summer. After their lowest ever Premier League points tally Old Trafford bosses acknowledged a major overhaul was required, with the first part of that now completed.
Following a number of high-profile departures - including Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard - United brought in six players before the window closed. Former Ajax winger Antony was the most expensive arrival at £85m, while Casemiro (£60m) and Lisandro Martinez (£55m), represent significant investments.
And the early signs have been positive, with United recovering from a poor start to win five of their last six matches in all competitions. Four of those victories have come in the Premier League, leaving the Red Devils just three points off the top of the table.
The Sun reports that early return on investment has convinced the United higher-ups to sanction more transfers at the turn of the year and Ten Hag could be given as much as £100m to spend in the January window.
It’s claimed that following talks with the Glazer family, the manager has already been assured of £70m - a warchest which could be increased by more than £30m if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves. The 37-year-old’s future was one of the stories of Ten Hag’s first summer in charge, after he made it clear he was looking to leave the club.
Ultimately, Ronaldo remained with United after his come-and-get-me plea to Champions League clubs fell on deaf ears. The Portuguese missed almost the entirety of pre-season and has since found himself on the bench in all-but one Premier League game this season.
The report adds that while Ronaldo has appeared committed to the cause in recent weeks, he is still keen to leave and could do so at the next available opportunity. And should that happen, Ten Hag would have more money to play with his £450,000-per-week salary off the books.
The former Ajax boss is said to have already told the club’s owners that he needs at least three more players to truly compete for major honours again. And he revealed those meetings will continue throughout the international break: “We will have many meetings, we have to improve the structures in and around the club," Ten Hag said said after Thursday night's Europa League win.
"We will also look to the window in January or next summer already. But, also to improve our way of play by making plans.”
In his introductory press conference back in May, Ten Hag admitted one of his targets was to end the Manchester City and Liverpool ’s era of dominance. United finished 35 points behind champions City, 34 behind Liverpool, and have not won a trophy since Jose Mourinho was in charge.
He was asked if he felt the top two could be toppled and said: "In this moment, I admire them both, Manchester City and Liverpool. They both play really fantastic football, both Liverpool and Man City. But you will always see an era can come to an end and I am looking forward to battle with them, and I am sure all the other Premier League clubs will want to do that.”
Frenkie de Jong is still believed to be at the top of Ten Hag’s wishlist, having spent the entire summer trying, and failing, to sign the Barcelona midfielder. United will also have a major presence in Qatar this winter, with a team of scouts monitoring players and relaying their findings during the World Cup.
