By Betsefy
Manchester United football director John Murtough has seemingly played down suggestions that the Red Devils could be active during the January transfer window.
Recent reports have claimed that the club’s manager Erik ten Hag could be handed a healthy budget in the middle of the campaign to further boost the squad.
However, Murtough has claimed that Man United are currently focusing on “next summer and beyond”, with January additions unlikely due to their spending in the recent window.
“Ultimately, we made a record level of investment for a single window, reflecting the conditions in the market, but also our commitment to supporting the manager,” The Telegraph quotes Murtough as saying.
“We always said that reshaping the squad would take more than a window and we’re already working with Erik on the next steps in that process, with a focus on next summer and beyond.
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“But it’s important to recognise that investment must always be sustainable, meaning that what we spend on players must be supported by revenues over the long-term.
“We ended the summer slightly ahead of where we expected to be in terms of the number of players brought in, so we don’t anticipate the same level of activity in future windows, although we will continue to strengthen.”
Man United brought in six new players during the summer window, with Antony the most expensive of those at £85.5m from Ajax, while Casemiro cost the club in excess of £60m from Real Madrid.
Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen also arrived to boost the squad, while Martin Dubravka made the move to Old Trafford on loan from Newcastle United.
Cristiano Ronaldo‘s contract at the club is due to expire next summer, which could lead to Ten Hag’s side spending big on a new centre-forward.
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Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Roma’s Tammy Abraham are among the strikers to recently been linked with a switch to the 20-time English champions.
Ten Hag’s main focus this season is on securing a return to the Champions League for next term, which would be achieved if they finished in the top four in the Premier League or won the Europa League.
Wednesday’s 2-0 success over Tottenham Hotspur, which was secured courtesy of goals from Fred and Bruno Fernandes, left the Red Devils in fifth position in the table, one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Man United will travel to Chelsea in Saturday’s late start before returning to Europa League action at home to Sheriff next Thursday, while West Ham United at home is the team’s final game of the month.
