Erik ten Hag makes controversial spending claim aimed at Man City, Arsenal and Newcastle

Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United to back him in the summer transfer window – or risk being left behind their Premier League top four rivals.

In the final week of the campaign, the Red Devils confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League alongside champions Manchester City, runners-up Arsenal and Newcastle United.

Ten Hag’s men, who beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final in February, could win the FA Cup on Saturday if they overcome the challenge of Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing City.

However, the Dutchman was unhappy at the lack of investment in January and warned of the implications that could bring if that continues in the near future.

Ten Hag said: “The club knows if you want to play top four, compete for trophies in this tough league then you have to invest, otherwise you don’t have a chance because other clubs will do.

“We’ve seen it in the winter. All the clubs around us made huge investments, we didn’t, but still we made it, so I’m proud of my team.

“We are in the right direction, but we are not there where we have to be. There’s still a long way to go. There’s potential in this team and in individual players.

“We showed during the season we made progress. That’s a compliment to the players and the coaches. We worked really hard, but we have to make an investment.”

Although Man United were restricted to loan moves for Wout Weghorst, Marcel Sabitzer and Jack Butland in the winter, ten Hag spent a club record £220m in the summer on the likes of Antony, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia.

Only Chelsea have spent more during the 2022-23 campaign.