Erik ten Hag has explained Manchester United's new transfer strategy in two words

Erik ten Hag has asked for patience with his Manchester United youngsters as he prepares to select what could be the youngest United starting XI in a Premier League for nearly five years.

Ten Hag has reduced the average age of his strongest side from 28 in his first season to what could be 24 this term if Manuel Ugarte comes into midfield to replace Christian Eriksen. That is the result of a shift in transfer strategy that has seen the club target youth in the previous two summers.

United splashed out an initial £60m on a 30-year-old Casemiro in 2022 but since then they haven't paid a fee for any player older than 27. If Eriksen does drop out of the side for Ugarte then Bruno Fernandes would be the elder statesman at 30.

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But while United have made a mockery of the theory that you can't win anything with kids, opting for youth isn't a risk-free strategy and Ten Hag knows the deals he has completed in recent windows haven't always added proven talent to the side, pointing out to the financial restrictions around the club as a reason for going for players such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

“Those are the choices we have made in the last two seasons - and I understand the impression that many have for Manchester United because the history is so big," said Ten Hag. “But those are the choices we have made - and also it has something to do with financials and other restrictions we have to deal with.

“We made the choice for younger players and you can’t expect them to be at the (top) level. We have to improve them and they have to improve themselves and we have to find a team that can be successful on a consistent basis.

“This team, in the last two years, has shown what they can do with patience. With patience we can win trophies and now we have to get more consistent.”

Ten Hag's faith in youth has included throwing academy graduates into the side. Kobbie Mainoo, 19, and Alejandro Garnacho, 20, have become regulars under the Dutchman and 22-year-old Amad has shone in the last few months.

Expectations remain high at Old Trafford, however, and while Ten Hag would like patience to add to a record that includes an Carabao Cup and FA Cup in his first two seasons, he knows his young team is being judged on a weekly bass.

“I think they (the players) will be judged every game - and that’s normal," he said. Everyone, for every game, is expecting United to be winning. We know that. It isn’t a secret for anyone.

“When you are in this club you have to deal with this factor - and we do. It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old. We have to cope with this and get the best out of it and match the expectations that everyone has.

“But we know also that, with all respect, young players, a young squad, a new team takes some time. We are going in a good direction, I think, in the last couple of weeks in many aspects of football. Now it’s about being more efficient and scoring more goals because that will win you games.”