Erik ten Hag: ‘The clubs around us made huge investments, we did not’

Erik ten Hag aimed a dig at the Manchester United hierarchy for failing to invest in the January transfer window as the manager implored the club to spend big this summer.

United finished the Premier League season in third with their second-highest points total in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, thanks to this comeback win over Fulham, and now have the chance to add a second trophy by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Ten Hag, whose side won the League Cup in February, told fans before a lap of appreciation that United would “give everything” to overcome City and cap what he said had been a “brilliant season”.

The Dutchman has done an impressive job since taking over 12 months ago, when United were in crisis after their worst campaign of the Premier League era.

But he said their success had come despite United’s failure to back him in the winter transfer window and hopes the club do not make the same mistakes over the summer, with the current ownership uncertainty threatening to complicate his rebuilding plans.

“The club knows if you want to play top four, compete for trophies in this tough league then you have to invest, otherwise you don’t have a chance because other clubs will do,” said Ten Hag after watching goals from Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes see off Fulham. “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.”

United refused to sanction a £44 million deal for Cody Gakpo, one of Ten Hag’s leading forward targets, with the manager instead having to settle for underwhelming loan deals for striker Wout Weghorst, who did not score a league goal, midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and goalkeeper Jack Butland. By contrast, Newcastle paid Everton £40 million for Anthony Gordon, Arsenal spent over £50 million on Leandro Trossard, Jakub Kiwior and Jorginho and Chelsea invested over £250 million.

Ten Hag wants to add Harry Kane, the £100 million Tottenham striker, among others, but there is not thought to be a great deal of optimism within the corridors of power that a deal can be done for the England captain at this stage.

Fulham led through Kenny Tete and had a glorious chance to take a 2-0 lead only for David de Gea to save Aleksandar Mitrovic’s penalty. De Gea, who received the golden glove trophy for most Premier League clean sheets at the final whistle, has still to sign a new contract but Ten Hag is quietly confident that will not be the goalkeeper’s final appearance at Old Trafford. “We want him to stay, he wants to stay, we will find each other,” he said.

Harry Maguire’s future is much less certain, though, and it remains to be seen if the England defender, who was afforded a rare start here, is still at the club next season.

The upbeat mood at the end contrasted starkly with the end of last season and Ten Hag is hoping there will be one final cause for celebration to come, despite the threat City pose.

“We beat them in January and Manchester United in the last couple of years beat City many times so these players know when they play at their levels they can compete,” he said. “It’s obvious, we play against the best team, but there is a chance and we have to go for the chance and give everything. We can’t find excuses for ourselves after the game. I’m sure we will play a good game on Saturday.”