Erik ten Hag insists star academy products can save Man United cash
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hopes the club’s next generation of stars can save them a fortune in transfer fees after research revealed his squad was the most expensive in the world.
A UEFA report said United’s squad last season cost £1.21billion to assemble — and they have spent an additional £175million on Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Andre Onana since.
The scintillating recent form of academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo has led to questions why certain signings like Jadon Sancho (£73million) and Antony (£85m) were made at all.
Ten Hag acknowledges the club’s traditional policy of promoting from within — dating back to the days of Sir Matt Busby — will be adhered to under his watch, with Dan Ashworth expected to come in as sporting director.
United have famously had at least one homegrown player in every first-team squad since 1937 but there was a change in approach after Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with lavish amounts of spending blocking the pathway of homegrown players.
‘Man United will always be a buying club but I think history proves it gives opportunities from the academy if a player deserves it. It’s in our DNA,’ said Ten Hag.
‘We mentor them and when you give chances, they progress so quickly and bring the team to a higher level. I think we have others who can make the big steps that Kobbie and Garnacho have done in the last couple of months.’
Recently, Ten Hag has added 16-year-old left-back Harry Amass to first-team training along with Louis Jackson, 18, who was part of Manchester United’s 2022 FA Youth Cup winners alongside Garnacho.
Mainoo and Garnacho have been among United’s most influential players this season and a major reason they visit Luton on Sunday looking for a
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