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The Dutch coach will have to be smart to acquire his preferred targets after it emerged that the Red Devils will not be splashing the cash
Manchester United's transfer budget will reportedly only be £100 million even if they are bought by mega-rich Qataris.
Late last year the Glazer family announced they would be open to a takeover of the Red Devils or an injection of funds in exchange for a partial stake.
Friday was the third, and what is expected to be final, deadline for parties to make offers to buy the Old Trafford club, with Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe both submitting bids.
Now it has been revealed that United's budget will be limited due to financial fair play rules and the only way for them to raise additional funds is by selling players, according to The Athletic.
United are on course for a top-four finish and have the chance to add the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup, but the financial backing for improvements is unclear even to the manager.
Asked if he has been told he has the funds to do what he wants to this summer irrespective of how the takeover process pans out, Erik ten Hag said: “No, I don't have. I don't have influence on that, I don't have... also I don't know.”
“The only thing what I know is that Man United is one of the biggest clubs and I think it's among maybe (the) two biggest clubs in the world from a fanbase perspective. So, I think this club has to compete for the highest in the world, so Champions League, Premier League.
“But in football, you need funds to construct squads because in the end of the day the level from your players makes if you are successful or not.
“I, we see this as a project. In a project also it belongs that you are in windows, that you strengthen your squad needs or to make refreshments, so that you get more balance, definitely, and you bring young players in.
“But I think we already have shown and proved that we can beat the best teams in the world, so, yeah, I think we can compete in the Champions League.
“But at the end of the day we want to be in the winter also in the Champions League and we want to compete, and knock them all out, so then we have a way to go.”
United are preparing to take on Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday after beating Aston Villa 1-0 amid protests against the Glazers on Sunday.
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