Rafael van der Vaart has criticized Erik ten Hag’s transfer business at Manchester United and revealed his main concern about it.
Ten Hag is facing significant pressure at Old Trafford after a disappointing campaign, where despite winning the FA Cup, the Red Devils finished eighth in the league and bottom of their Champions League group.
The Dutchman made five summer signings, including players like Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee.
Van der Vaart criticizes Ten Hag’s transfer policy
A pattern has emerged in United’s transfer dealings under Ten Hag, with the former Ajax boss signing several Dutch players and players he has managed before.
In his two years in charge, four Dutch players have been signed, two of whom arrived this summer in Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt.
Five players who Ten Hag used to manage at Ajax have joined him at Old Trafford in the two years he has been in charge. Van der Vaart, who is known for being outspoken, is not a fan of this policy.
“Yes, it’s tough, I think. He’s been there a few years and really spent a lot of money for his own players, which I don’t really like,” he told The Sun.
“When you as a coach bring in a lot of Dutch players or players, I am not the biggest fan of that because when you lose a few times, then the pressure is even higher, and the football is also not really improving.
“I saw them against Liverpool, and that, of course, it’s a tough pill to swallow because it’s like the biggest game, like the North London Derby, and you lose without a chance.
“Now he needs a lot of wins. Then he will survive, but we will have to wait and see.”
After a summer in which United spoke to other managers, Ten Hag needed to get off to a good start, but the pressure is already mounting after two defeats in the first three games, including a 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford. The Dutchman needs to turn the tide quickly; otherwise, his job could be in danger.
