Louis van Gaal has urged the Glazer family not to start judging his work at Manchester United until the end of the season, despite the manager’s huge spending spree this summer.
United have spent an initial £145.1 million on five signings, with Daley Blind’s £13.8 million move from Ajax expected to be ratified today, and hope to make at least one addition before the close of the transfer window this evening.
Ten players have left Old Trafford — seven permanently, three on loan — but with only a projected £9.5 million recouped through sales, the club hope that more departures will help to offset some of their outlay.
Shinji Kagawa, the Japan midfielder, yesterday completed a £6.3 million return to Borussia Dortmund, from whom he joined United two years ago, and the club hope to offload Javier Hernández, the Mexico striker, by concluding a loan deal with Real Madrid.
Aston Villa have not given up hope of signing Tom Cleverley, although the England midfielder is reluctant to make a permanent move given that he will become a free agent next summer.
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Danny Welbeck’s future remains uncertain, with Tottenham Hotspur interested in the England striker, and Anders Lindegaard, the goalkeeper, and Anderson, the midfielder, could also leave.
The Glazers sacked David Moyes, Van Gaal’s predecessor, after ten months but the Dutchman has demanded more time from the club’s owners.
“You can only judge after one season and not in weeks or months,” Van Gaal said. “I think we have to rebuild a team and this needs time.”