If Erik ten Hag had any concerns about the belief Manchester United bosses had in him, they were surely dismissed after his first window in charge.
The Dutchman quickly made it clear when swapping Ajax for Old Trafford that he wanted the final say when it came to recruitment. “I set requirements in advance about how I want to work. If they aren’t granted, I won’t. I am ultimately responsible and accounted for the results,” he said shortly after his appointment.
And reflecting on his first foray into the transfer market, it is clear to see Ten Hag’s influence was a deciding factor. Both Antony and Lisandro Martinez were in his Ajax squad last term, before becoming United players at a combined cost of £140million.
