We had to spend £170m to fight for the top four, admits

ERIK TEN HAG has revealed that Manchester United’s late surge in spending is a direct response to rising fees being paid across the Premier League.

The arrival of winger Antony from Ajax for £85.5million will see United’s outlay since losing their opening two matches of the season pass £170m. Casemiro quickly joined from Real Madrid and United are now ready to eclipse their summer spending record as Antony reunites with his old manager and becomes the club’s second most expensive player of all time.

Ten Hag insisted there was always significant money at his disposal but admitted that United’s budget had grown in recent weeks. The previous collective Premier League spending record of £1.5billion was broken last week. ‘They made adaptations because of how the market (was) and I think the club did that well,’ the Dutchman said. ‘If you want to compete at the top, you don’t have a choice. All the clubs spent this kind of money.

‘If you want to fight for the top four positions, you have to do it. We have the ambition, especially in the long term, to play for trophies. We had to do this.

‘All the top clubs spent a lot of money in the summer. That is how the market has developed. I can’t do anything about it. Nobody can, it’s the market, we have to accept it.

‘Last season, the benchmark was only five transfers above £60m and I don’t know how many it is now. More parties are involved, there are many factors that make it complicated.’

Chelsea, a key rival in the battle for Champions League qualification, have committed to a major overhaul of Thomas Tuchel’s squad and could end up spending nearly £300m should a move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang come off. United can edge two points clear of Chelsea tonight if they win at Leicester.

Antony will not be available, but Ten Hag confirmed that he envisages the 22-year-old eventually playing off the right and believes that he has the ‘fighting spirit’ to succeed at Old Trafford.

His signing offers the United boss strength in depth in attack as they embark on a hectic schedule, while Ten Hag is adamant Cristiano Ronaldo is receptive to his style of play after having ‘several’ talks with