Ten Hag: 'It's not easy to be a Reds player'

ERIK ten Hag believes United is the most difficult club to play for in world football.

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

The club's recruitment hit rate has been particularly appalling since the then-world record £80m sale of Cristiano Ronaldo in 2009, but it has generated particularly intense scrutiny since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward became a widely derided figure due to his slapdash dealings in the transfer market, with former managers David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho all unimpressed. The appointment of an inaugural football director in John Murtough in March 2021 has also made little palpable difference to the Reds' strategy.

United have been criticised for yielding to Ten Hag's demands over playing personnel and six of their 10 permanent signings under the Dutchman have played in the Eredivisie.

Ten Hag has had unprecedented backing at Old Trafford, spending more than £400m across two summer transfer windows and arranging for loans - as many as the club negotiated in the 25 years before the Dutchman's appointment.

One Eredivisie alumni who has not enjoyed privileges under Ten Hag is his former Ajax charge Donny van de Beek, who left on loan for Eintracht Frankfurt last week after playing 19 minutes this season.