Mauricio Pochettino: Man United's summer spending shows they're desperate

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has claimed Manchester United and Manchester City showed they were "desperate to improve their squads" this summer.

By David Woods, Chief Football Writer                    

THE BOSS: Pochettino hit out at United and City

And Tottenham’s Argentine coach said he wasn't bothered about the fortunes the two Premier League giants had splashed out this summer in their quest for the title.

United have spent about £145m, City around £140m, while Spurs - who finished third last season - have paid just £11m for midfielder Victor Wanyama and £17m for striker Vincent Janssen.

“I am not worried about that,” he said. “It shows when you spend a lot of money you are not happy with your squad or your players and you are desperate to improve your squad.

“I am very happy with my players and I think it is very difficult to find players better than we have.

“For that I am very happy - I am very relaxed and quiet.”

But Pochetinno did not rule out the north Londoners making moves before the end of the transfer window.

“Maybe yes we are open to add one or two players or maybe no one,” he said.

“For us it is very important to respect our process and if we have the possibility to sign someone who can improve us we are very open.

 

“But it is difficult to find someone with this profile because we have a very good squad, very good players and the way that we work and with our philosophy it is a very difficult market for us.”

He also revealed centre-back Jan Vertonghen is available for Saturday’s first game of the season, against Everton.

Vertonghen picked up an ankle injury with Belgium at Euro 2016 but Pochetinno said: “He is ready but we have to be cafeful.

“Full credit to our medical staff for getting him fit for the first game and now it is my decision whether to pick him or not.”