According to the Daily Mail, Manchester United are ready to spend another £150 million next summer. The Daily Mirror writes that Man United are planning to match last summer’s £150 million transfer spree to sign elite players who can help them challenge for the Champions League. United Manager Louis van Gaal believes these stories have a negative effect on his team, his players and the club’s business.
Van Gaal had some very harsh words at his pre-Southampton press conference (you can watch the whole video of his presser here) about these newspaper stories today:
“I think it’s disgusting always writing about numbers. I don’t think (executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward said anything about it and nor have I.”
“It is disrespectful to my players and I don’t like to talk about it. I have to work with the selection I have and I have respect for that. I believe in players, so that is my answer.”
“I don’t think money is the question in this. When Manchester United comes, the club are always asking for more money because we are Manchester United. Maybe you recognize that when I’m saying it,” Van Gaal continued.
“Do you think Southampton are paying too much for their players? I don’t think so – because it’s Southampton. There is always a relationship between Real Madrid and United and teams like Aston Villa and Southampton.
“Do you know how many players we lost? Never have you said that. Never have I read that in the media. We have lost more players.”
Under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, United have combined to spend £211 million in three transfer windows.
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net ,which is partners with Fox Sports. Read his feature stories in the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. Listen to him on KOZN 1620 The Zone. Follow him on Twitter (@paulmbanks). His work has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including The Washington Post and ESPN 2