Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has defended their record summer transfer spending.

According to the Dutchman, it is the only way they can compete for a place in the top four this season.

Ten Hag has overseen an outlay of more than £220million, which is the most the club has ever spent in a single window.

Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony and Martin Dubravka have all arrived at Old Trafford this summer.

If you want to compete at the top, you don’t have a choice.

“All the clubs spent this kind of money. If you want to fight for the top four positions, you have to do it.

“We have the ambition, especially in the long term, to play for trophies." We had to do this, I think.

“Last season, the benchmark was only five transfers above £60m and I don’t know how many now,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Wednesday.