Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag refuses to take the blame for blowing more than £400million in the transfer market.

Ten Hag insists he did not sanction bank-busting moves for players like Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, Mason Mount and Andre Onana.

The Dutchman claimed he had nothing to do with valuations – suggesting that former chief executive Richard Arnold and ex-football director John Murtough sanctioned an investment that has failed to reap many rewards.

Ten Hag said: “The prices paid for players are indeed very high – but I am not responsible for that. The club did all the negotiations, including with very good potential players who didn’t come in the end.

“So it is all a bit more nuanced than the picture that is being painted that the purchase policy is disastrous. It’s all negative, but despite all the problems, the foundation at the club has grown stronger.

“That may not all be visible to the outside world now, but everyone internally will make that analysis.

“With talents like (Kobbie) Mainoo, (Alejandro) Garnacho, Hojlund and also someone like Amad Diallo, who has developed very strongly, the future looks bright.”

Ten Hag is keen to strengthen this summer with three new signings – a striker, centre-back and midfielder – and believes with those additions and keeping his players healthy – physio Jordan Reece is joining from Arsenal – they can challenge again at the top of the table.

“Then you can start playing towards the top four with such an eleven. That gives me hope and is also realistic in my eyes,” he added. “The plan last year was clear: we buy a striker and get a goalkeeper who is able to shape the football from behind, and an extra midfielder.

“That was the approach and in theory we would then be stronger and be able to take the next step.”