Erik ten Hag volleys Man Utd transfer claim back at Jose Mourinho – with Portuguese bringing in Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku & Alexis Sanchez

The former Red Devils boss was also given the funds that allowed Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez and Fred to be drafted into Old Trafford. Mourinho has, however, suggested that he lacked the backing of current coach Ten Hag. He said in The Telegraph: “What Ten Hag has in his time at Manchester United I didn't have. I didn't have that level of support. I didn't have that level of trust. So I left sad, because I felt I was in the beginning of the process. In some moments, I felt if they trusted me and believed in my experience things could be different.”

Ten Hag has been given funds across his two years in Manchester - snapping up Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony, Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund – but has admitted to missing out on top targets such as Harry Kane. With that in mind, he has told ESPN Brasil: “Apart from Mourinho, the manager didn't get the players they wanted, and that is what you need. I am confident we will achieve our goals, but it is a tough competition. It is not a two-horse race anymore. There are seven, eight [teams in the Premier League] who all go for the title, who all have very good squads. So if you want to go to the title, you have to construct that squad.”

United have been investing with one eye on the future, which Ten Hag has no issue with. He added on the need for long-term vision: “You need outstanding players. Otherwise, you are in a process and you have to be patient. That is where we are now. We went for players who have high potentials, and we have to develop them, as individuals and as a team. But you need patience with the process.”

Patience may be wearing thin for Ten Hag at Old Trafford, with questions being asked of his future. He did, however, guide the Red Devils to Carabao Cup glory last season and will be facing arch-rivals Manchester City again in the 2024 FA Cup final.