Erik ten Hag sends blunt 'message' to Man Utd's new owners as transfer strategy revealed

Erik ten Hag has issued a clear message to whoever may take over from the Glazers at Manchester United.

The Glazer family originally put United up for sale in November, but six months down the line and fans are no clearer who will succeed at Old Trafford.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group have emerged as the frontrunners to buy the club, having allegedly submitted the highest offer.

However, it is thought the Qatari investment group, fronted by Sheikh Jassim are not out of the race just yet.

All the while, Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has had to contend with the uncertainty of not knowing who he will report to next season.

In turn, the Dutchman has struggled to map out the impending summer transfer window, despite a growing need to invest in the team.

Nevertheless, Ten Hag has issued a blunt message to whichever potential buyer comes out on top, suggesting that they will "have to invest" in order to succeed.

Erik ten Hag's 'message' to new owners

Speaking to The Times, Ten Hag outlined his summer transfer strategy, pointing towards other clubs' spending in comparison to his own.

"If you want to be competitive in this league you, have to invest. I need signings," he said.

When asked if he was aware of the “Glazers out” chants that ring around Old Trafford, he replied: “Yes. But that’s not up to me.”

Some level of "closure or clarity would help his summer plans", Times journalist, Henry Winter, notes.

Ten Hag then addressed the disparity in spending between England's elite clubs - an issue at the forefront of Manchester City's recent success.

“When you see the investment in the Premier League — [in the] summer window we did [spend] as well, to be fair.” Indeed, United spent at total of £208 million on Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martínez and Tyrell Malacia at the start of the campaign.

“In the winter window, we didn’t do anything," Ten Hag continued.

"We had loan players [Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer and Jack Butland] but when you look around, all the other clubs invested to be in the top four and we didn’t invest."

"You can’t ignore that. If you want to be competitive in this league, you have to invest. I need signings, yes.”

Ten Hag has set the record straight, demanding United's new ownership enter the transfer market with all guns blazing.

However, the clock is ticking, with just over two weeks until the window opens.