Erik ten Hag has warned the Glazers that Manchester United must invest this summer if they are to be successful next season - regardless of whether or not the club's current owners decide to sell up.
The Glazers announced back in November that they were open to offers and several high-profile suitors, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani, have submitted proposals in a bid to acquire United over the past few months.
However, we are still no closer to learning a preferred bidder and there are lingering doubts over whether or not the Glazers intend to sell up at all.
The uncertainty surrounding the club is believed to be hampering Ten Hag's transfer plans - even though the club have landed a substantial financial windfall after qualifying for the Champions League.
Speaking after Sunday's win over Fulham, Ten Hag made it clear that the club have to spend if they want to be successful next season whilst taking a swipe at the lack of support he received in January, where United were restricted to loan signings.
“The club knows if you want to play top four and compete for trophies in this league, then you have to invest,” the Dutchman told reporters. “Otherwise you don’t have a chance, because other clubs will. We’ve seen it in the winter - all the clubs around us made huge investments. We didn't, but still we made it, so I’m proud of my team.”
Although Ten Hag is eager to get to work in the transfer market, the chances of a preferred bidder being announced imminently appear to be slim.
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A fresh report from Sky News over the weekend outlined that the club met on Thursday to discuss the takeover but were unable to come to a decision on the bids which are still on the table from Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim.
Both bids fall short of the Glazers' valuation of the club, which is around £6billion, but it is believed that Ratcliffe's proposal is slightly more attractive as it would allow Avram and Joel the opportunity to retain a small stake in the club.
Ten Hag's preparations for the 2023/24 campaign are likely to remain on the back burner until a decision is made. The former Ajax chief admitted earlier this month that he is still in the dark over the club's transfer plans and that the actual budget he has to work with hasn't been communicated to him yet.
Tottenham talisman Harry Kane is Manchester United's top target this summer, but Ten Hag is hoping to bolster his squad with further reinforcements in midfield and defence.
