Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has thrown Jose Mourinho under the bus when discussing his side’s transfer business. The Dutchman has called for increased backing this summer, with a major overhaul planned.

The Red Devils are planning to splash the cash at the end of the season, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe identifying targets at both ends of the pitch. Jarrad Branthwaite, Michael Olise and Ivan Toney are among a host of names tipped to head to the Old Trafford outfit, with other acquisitions also in the pipeline.

Ten Hag has also been linked with a move away from United, though the Dutch manager is hopeful that he can prove his worth at the Theatre of Dreams by having a squad built that fits his demands.

The ex-Ajax manager has been well-backed previously but saw his request of signing a new striker fall on deaf ears in the January transfer window, with Rasmus Hojlund being his only available forward for the vast majority of the campaign.

Speaking ahead of United’s clash with Crystal Palace, Ten Hag told ESPN Brazil that Mourinho – who was largely seen as a failure at United – was the only manager post-Sir Alex Ferguson to get the players he wanted. He said: “Apart from Mourinho, the manager didn’t get the players they wanted, and that is what you need.

“I am confident we will achieve our goals, but it is a tough competition. It is not a two-horse race anymore. There are seven, eight [teams in the Premier League] who all go for the title, who all have very good squads. So if you want to go to the title, you have to construct that squad.”