No matter how much they spend, it’s never enough. The richest European clubs are used to wasting money in all directions, to hire players who are not so necessary for them and to ‘fill the warehouse’. Due to irresponsible business, many have suffered and faced bans for violating financial fair play. They didn’t go over the limit at Old Trafford mainly due to huge revenues, but this January they hit a wall. They could not sign anyone. Anthony Martial was injured at a bad time, Erik ten Hag was left with only Rasmus Hojlund, and he asked the club management to bring him another forward. But his wishes were not granted. Regulations thwarted his plans; Financial Fair Play rules prevented new signings. And in the next month and a few days, the Dane will be the only classic ‘nine’ that he will have.Manchester United haven’t lost a PL game in February since 2021. Time to change that. pic.twitter.com/V4Y0yo6G3L— Mokaya (@its_mokaya0) February 4, 2024 They knew at Manchester United that there would be problems. Since Erik ten Hag’s arrival at the club, around 480,000,000 euros have been spent on reinforcements, wages have increased, and sales have not been at the desired level. This winter, Jadon Sancho, Donny van de Beek, Facundo Pellistri, Hannibal – all of them moved on loan – and numerous academy students who are estimated to have no place in the first team left the Theater of Dreams this January. However, all that was not enough to sign a new striker without violating FFP rules.’If we don’t win the league, it’s because of these two a**holes’Erik ten Hag’s plans also fell through. As Anthony Martial got injured, his choice is extremely narrowed. Rasmus Hojlund is the only centre-forward, Marcus Rashford can move from the left wing to the front if necessary, although United are not clear with the English representative, as he had a few outings in the previous months.”It’s no secret, I wanted a striker because of Martial’s injury. We don’t have a real replacement, we don’t have a backup striker. It was not possible for us to sign him because of FFP rules. There are some drawbacks… To meet the rules related to FFP and make space, you have to sell players. You have to sell good players, I don’t think that’s the way to build a team” said Ten Hag.Rasmus Hojlund stats against Wolves:- 100% pass accuracy- 25 touches- 15/15 passes e complete- 4 ground duels e win- 2 key passes- 2 shots dey on target- 1 goal- 1 assistE really shine. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4IH05JxiuB— MUIP (@ManUtdInPidgin) February 2, 2024 United could not make a selection like last January when they brought Wout Weghorst and Marcel Zabitzer on loan. On the plus side, Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez have recovered from injuries. Admittedly, the Argentinian stopper got a new one on the visit to Wolverhampton and ended the game earlier with ice on his leg. However, the estimates are that he does not expect a longer break. At the moment, only Mason Mount is in the infirmary; this year’s reinforcement almost didn’t even play.Lingard fires his agent-malfunctioning family members and heads to South KoreaMore importantly, in a situation where Manchester United could not sign a new striker, Rasmus Hojlund came into form. In the previous three games, he scored three goals and set up two. Erik ten Hag is especially happy about that since he will need the Dane today against West Ham.”You see how Hojlund is improving, we trust him. He gets angry when he doesn’t score, that’s why we picked him. He is calm and resistant to stress. There was never a moment he wanted to give up. I am happy for him, he is at a good level now”, said the Dutchman.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 23SaturdayEverton – Tottenham 2-2 (1-2)/Harrison 30, Branthwaite 90+4 – Richarlison 4, 41/Brighton – Crystal Palace 4-1 (3-0)/Dunk 3, Hinshelwood 33, Buonanotte 34, Joao Pedro 85 – Mateta 71/Burnley – Fulham 2-2 (0-2)/Fofana 71, 90+1 – Palhinha 17, Muniz 21/Newcastle – Luton 4-4 (1-1)/Longstaff 7, 23, Trippier 67, Barnes 73 – Osho 21, Barkley 40, Morris 59 pen, Adebayo 62/Sheffield Utd – Aston Villa 0-5 (0-4)/McGinn 12, Watkins 16, Bailey 20, Tielemans 30, Moreno 47/Sunday17:00: (1.70) Chelsea (3.90) Wolverhampton (5.50)17:00: (1.75) Bournemouth (3.60) Nott.Forest (4.90)17:00: (1.67) Man.Utd. (4.00) West Ham (5.60)19:30: (2.40) Arsenal (3.50) Liverpool (3.05)Monday23:00: (7.50) Brentford (4.90) Man.City (1.40)***odds are subject to change***
