Manchester United director John Murtough is satisfied with the club’s summer transfers and said “Overall, we are ahead of schedule in our recruitment plans as envisaged at the start of the summer, and we do not anticipate same level of activity in future windows”, Fabrizio Romano of Sky Sports Italy reported. 

Murtough added, “As always, our planning focuses on the summer window”. 

United has seen a major squad shake-up, as expected with the arrival of former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag. The transfer window saw Ajax players Lisandro Martinez and Antony Santos both move to the Old Trafford club, the latter at a whopping 100 million euros. Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, Christian Eriksen from Brentford, and Casemiro from Real Madrid round out the players who’ve come into the club. 

The total expenses amounted to £214 million, as per the industry website Transfermarkt. The Athletic had previously reported the Premier League side to have a budget of around £120 million this summer. While the Dutch manager might have been allowed to go beyond budget to get the team he wants, United will now be looking for results before shelling out more in future transfer windows. 

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Despite a dismal start to the season, ten Hag has managed to turn things around for United, giving them crucial wins against top-flight sides Arsenal and Liverpool. United has found a solid central defending duo in Raphael Varane and Martinez, with Diogo Dalot and Malacia playing the left and right backs. 

Thus far, ten Hag has gone with Scott McTominay as his central defensive midfielder, but Casemiro is expected to be the coach’s first choice once the Brazilian settles into the squad. Elsewhere, the midfield has Eriksen, whose vision in passing has let United mount many quick counters. Bruno Fernandes is the attacking midfielder, while Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford are all attacking choices the Dutchman can use. 

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While United have started showing a distinctive playing style, the club’s biggest challenge yet comes in the form of a Manchester derby on October 2, at Etihad, where ten Hag and company will face reigning PL winners Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City squad, which has become increasingly formidable since the arrival of Erling Haaland.