Erik ten Hag faces pressure at Man United after £600m spending spree

Erik ten Hag has faced significant scrutiny regarding his transfer strategy at Manchester United since taking over in April 2022. The Dutch manager has invested over £600 million in 21 new players, yet many of these signings have not met expectations, leading to criticism from former players and pundits. Rafael van der Vaart, a Dutch football legend, has specifically called out the signing of Matthijs de Ligt, expressing disappointment in his development since leaving Ajax. Van der Vaart believes that Ten Hag's preference for Dutch players has added to the pressure on him, especially after a slow start to the current season. Van der Vaart's concerns extend beyond individual players, as he questions the overall strategy employed by Ten Hag. He argues that bringing in numerous players from the same country can backfire, particularly when results are not favorable. This situation intensifies the scrutiny on the manager, as fans and analysts expect immediate improvements on the pitch. The former player highlighted the need for Ten Hag to secure victories to alleviate the mounting pressure and avoid potential dismissal. The criticism of De Ligt's performances has been particularly pointed, with Van der Vaart noting that the center-back has not progressed as anticipated. He acknowledges De Ligt's talent but suggests that his time in Italy has not equipped him with the defensive skills needed to thrive in the Premier League. This lack of development raises questions about Ten Hag's ability to integrate players effectively into the team. As the season unfolds, the pressure on Ten Hag continues to grow, with fans and pundits alike watching closely to see if he can turn the situation around. The combination of high spending and underwhelming performances has created a challenging environment for the manager, who must now focus on achieving results to secure his position at the club.