Erik ten Hag insists he and Cristiano Ronaldo are happy the striker is staying at Old Trafford as Manchester United mark the end of their biggest ever transfer window.
United, who previously spent the most in one window during the first year of Louis van Gail’s reign, have bettered that £150m by some margin this summer.
With Antony completing his £85.5m switch to join former Ajax boss ten Hag, United have invested well over £200m in the past two months.
But one piece of business that has not been completed is the sale of Ronaldo, who appeared determined to leave the club earlier in the close season.
The lack of a viable buyer has apparently condemned Ronaldo to spend the season with United – at least until the window re-opens in January – although Ten Hag claimed both parties are happy with that fact ahead of Thursday’s trip to Leicester.
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“From the start we said we planned with him. It’s your vision, not my vision,” the Dutchman said.
“We are happy with him, he’s happy to be here and we want to make the season a success together. I have spoken to him several times, yes. We are all on one page.”
Critics have suggested that, at 37, Ronaldo will not have the necessary fitness, or desire, to play Ten Hag’s high-tempo pressing game.
But the United manager, who may start Ronaldo at Leicester in the absence of the injured Anthony Martial, insists that is not the case.
“The way of playing sets the demand,” he said. “You can see in training that it is clear that he has the capabilities.
“He will fit in because… I don’t have to explain. He is a great player. He will fit in every system or every style.
“That’s clear. That’s why we are talking, I said we are on one page. He knows what the demands are.”
With Newcastle ‘keeper Martin Dubravka due to complete a loan move to United ahead of the closing of the transfer window, Ten Hag’s business looks done.
Defenders Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez have been joined by midfielders Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in a £200m-plus splash that Ten Hag says was simply the cost of doing business, and improving his squad.
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“I think it’s a signal but I think all the big clubs in the Premier League spent a lot in the market,” he said.
“All the top clubs spent a lot of money in the summer. That is how the market has developed. I can’t do nothing for it.
“Nobody can do anything for it. It’s the market. We have to accept it. I think we’ve strengthened the squad, that is clear. As a manager you always want more.
“What I demand from my players, I have to show myself as well. You always want to maximise but at a certain point you also have to be satisfied with what is there.
“It’s about development of the team, the individuals, to get this team stronger and have more consistency and bring more quality. That is what me and my coaches have to work for now.”
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