Erik ten Hag warns FFP will stop Manchester United signing new striker
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Manchester United's Anthony Martial has been ruled out until April after undergoing surgery on a groin injury.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Erik ten Hag said that Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations will prevent Manchester United from signing a new striker during the January transfer window to plug the gap left by Anthony Martial’s extended absence.
Martial has been ruled out until April after undergoing groin surgery. But, like several other leading English clubs, United seem more interested in reducing rather than bolstering their squad, as they come to terms with the impact of the English Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
“I looked but there is no space,” said ten Hag on Jan 26.
“No space on FFP to do something about this lack of quantity in the striker position. Of course, we have (Marcus) Rashford who can play as a striker, I think also we have some other alternatives.
“It’s clear now Anthony is out for a couple of months. It’s a gap in our squad. Clear.”
The United boss has Rasmus Hojlund, who has two league goals, as his first-choice striker, but the team lack depth up front.
He was speaking to the media for the first time since United poached Omar Berrada from local rivals Manchester City as their new chief executive. The club have been without a permanent CEO since Richard Arnold left at end-2023.
“It gives spirit in this whole club,” said ten Hag of Berrada’s move. “Everyone notices that this club is going into a period of changes but it’s because we want to achieve high targets, so standards have to change.”
The Dutchman added: “We understand we have to change, and we started that process last season with the dressing room. But also many departments so I am very happy that I get support.”
United’s short-term focus is on their FA Cup fourth-round tie away to fourth-tier Newport on Jan 28, with the competition representing their last realistic hope of silverware this season.
With Cameroon goalkeeper Andre Onana away at the Africa Cup of Nations, the match is set to mark the long-awaited United debut of pre-season signing Altay Bayindir.
“Yeah, he will be in the goal,” ten Hag said of the 25-year-old former Fenerbahce custodian.
“He played in a big club in Turkey under big pressure, so he knows how to deal with it.
“We were all very convinced when we brought him into this club... Altay, very motivated of course and he can’t wait for this moment.”
United have been plagued by injury woes this season with Harry Maguire and Mason Mount still sidelined. But Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez are available for the match. AFP, REUTERS
