Erik Ten Hag bemoans FFP regulations after Manchester United were unable to make any new signings in January transfer window and had to offload 13 players

Erik ten Hag has bemoaned FFP regulations after Manchester United had to offload 13 players in January without being able to make any new signings.

The United boss opted to trim his squad, offloading mostly fringe players. Despite spending around £410 million since taking charge, Ten Hag finds himself with only one recognised fit striker in Rasmus Hojlund, as FFP restrictions prevented him from securing a new one last month.

United said goodbye to Jadon Sancho, Alvaro Fernandez, Facundo Pellistri, Joe Hugill, Maxi Oyedele, Rhys Bennett, Dan Gore, Radek Vitek, Isak Hansen-Aaroen and Sonny Aljofree either on loan or permanently in January.

To manage the wage bill, Ten Hag primarily used the loan market, juggling the club’s financial figures. However, he expressed his frustration with the stringent rules that can lead to point deductions, hindering his ability to build a strong United team.

Ten Hag explained: ‘It is not a secret – I wanted a striker, and because of the injury to Martial, we don’t really have the back-up. It was not possible because we have to meet the FFP rules.

Mason Mount, the £55.6 million acquisition from Chelsea, is still sidelined with injury

Jadon Sancho was amongst those to depart on loan this January to balance the books 

‘There are some disadvantages with FFP. To make space for FFP, you actually have to sell players – you have to sell good players, and I don’t think that is the way you build a team.’

While last year Ten Hag brought in Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst on loan, there were no such moves this time. Instead, the club witnessed the departure of several players in January.

Despite challenges, Ten Hag is relieved to have some players back from injury, including Casemiro, Luke Shaw, and Lisandro Martinez. 

Though there were concerns about Martinez after the game at Wolves, his foot injury is not considered serious.

One player still sidelined is Mason Mount, the £55.6m acquisition from Chelsea. Ten Hag acknowledged Mount’s struggles with injuries and expressed his commitment to supporting his recovery. 

The manager aims to prioritise Mount’s gradual return to fitness, hoping he can contribute more to the team by the end of the season.