Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that Financial Fair Play (FFP) has some disadvantages as clubs could be forced to sell good players.
The Red Devils were on the hunt for a new striker during the winter transfer window and they were really interested in signing Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart.
The 27-year-old was available for a €17.5 million release clause, but United could not afford the fee as they were concerns of breaching FFP spending limits.
As a result, the club decided against signing a new centre-forward. Speaking in today’s press conference, Ten Hag highlighted that FFP rules played a big part.
He told Manutd.com: “I think it is no secret that we wanted a striker. With the injury to Anthony Martial, we really needed a back-up there. But it was not possible and we had to watch the FFP rules.”
When pressed further on the matter, the manager said that there are some disadvantages with FFP as clubs could be forced to sell good players which does not help in building a team together.
He added: “There are some disadvantages with FFP [Financial Fair Play]. To make space for FFP, you have to sell players and that is actually hard, you have to sell good players. I don’t think this is the way you build a team.”
Man Utd need plenty of player sales to recoup funds
United have had no owner investment since the Glazers took over. This is expected to have an impact on their business when the transfer window reopens this summer.
The Red Devils will be under control of a new regime under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but they could be forced to offload players to offset the losses incurred over recent years.
The club are aiming to recoup £100 million from the sale of four academy graduates in Mason Greenwood, Hannibal Mejbri, Scott McTominay and Alvaro Fernandez.
There are also plans to offload Jadon Sancho and Antony for £100m. This is easier said than done. United will be hoping to recoup as much as possible before the financial year ends on June 30.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
