Erik ten Hag has warned Manchester United must have a coherent strategy as they await the outcome of a possible takeover process.
Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and the Ineos Group, fronted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have submitted offers to buy United after 18 years of ownership under the Glazer family.
Interest from the Qatari Sheikh Jassim has fuelled speculation surrounding a possible move for Neymar, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, owned by Qatar Sports Investment.
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Figures at United downplayed reports in France of interest in Neymar and any approach would be reminiscent of their appalling superstar strategy that former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward favoured.
United signed several marquee names who spectacularly underperformed and the club made a widely-publicised attempt to prise Neymar from Barcelona in 2015.
Chelsea have spent £600million on signings since their takeover by Clearlake Capital last year but they are certain to end the season in the bottom half of the Premier League table for the first time since 1995-96.
Ten Hag cited Chelsea as an example of how moot money can be if the strategy is awry. "In this moment, [there is] a centralisation of good players, of the best managers, also about the money - it's all here in the UK. That makes a great competition but also a tough and a hard competition.
"You have to do the right things, you can have money but you have to do it and spend it in a smart way and you need to have a strategy behind it. Otherwise, the money doesn’t work. When there is no strategy or the right strategy, money doesn’t work.
"I think there are many more teams in the Premier League who are really strong. Talking about Aston Villa, talking about Brighton, talking about Brentford, I think there are many more teams who are really strong and tough and it is not only those top six clubs."
Ten Hag emphasised character will be as important as quality when United go about reinforcing their squad in the summer. Although United are planning for more outgoings than incomings, they have prioritised a striker and Ten Hag wants to bolster the midfield and defence.
United permanently signed five players for £235.51m last summer in a club-record transfer window and their spending is expected to easily break nine figures again in the close season.
"I want to have players with the right personalities who are outstanding and contribute on the highest levels," Ten Hag said, "that is what we want and what we have to work for.
"I think we are in a good direction but also we can also learn from this season and we have to evaluate that after the season, make the right conclusions for the future and that is what we will definitely do that after the season."
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