• Premier League

Van Gaal brands spending spree reports 'disgusting'

ESPN staff
December 5, 2014
Louis van Gaal said spending spree rumours disrespected his current crop of players © Getty Images
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Louis van Gaal has branded suggestions that Manchester United will embark on another £150 million spending spree "disgusting".

Van Gaal claimed it was "disrespectful" to his squad to suggest many of them could be replaced by big-money signings.

United spent a record £152m last summer to bring in Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao.

But Van Gaal refused to discuss the prospect of another summer of expensive additions, saying in a press conference: "I think it is disgusting always writing about numbers.

"I don't think that [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward said anything about that, I don't think I said anything about that. It is disrespectful to my players and I don't like to talk about it."

Van Gaal claimed he is content to work with his current group of players, adding: "I have to work with the selection I have. I have respect for my selection. I believe in my players."

United are the English club who paid the most in transfer fees in the last transfer window while Monday's opponents, Southampton, brought in the highest sum, £93m.

Van Gaal claimed United are forced to pay a premium for players because of who they are, explaining: "I don't think that money is the question in this. When Manchester [United] is coming, always the clubs are asking for more money and then we have to pay because we are Manchester United."

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