Manchester United Transfer News: Pep Guardiola Comments on Red Devils' Spending

Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola confirmed Manchester United made offers for several of his players during the 2014 summer transfer window, claiming the Red Devils "didn't have enough money" to land any of his stars.    

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thomas Muller and Arjen Robben all remained put, and midfield ace Toni Kroos elected to join Real Madrid instead, according to the Daily Mirror's David McDonnell.

Guardiola congratulated his "friend" Louis van Gaal on the players he did manage to land, stating a potential transfer would always depend on the player's desire:

"

They don't have enough money. I saw they spent this kind of [big] money. It's good for my friend Louis [van Gaal]. I know all the players the clubs want, it just depends on the player. If the player wants to stay, they stay. Manchester United wants these kind of players, but they want to stay and we are happy to be here.

"

Bayern Munich have dominated the Bundesliga in recent years and have been regulars in the final stages of the UEFA Champions League, and their squad formed the backbone of the German team that won the 2014 World Cup.

Unlike some top teams from other leagues, the Bavarians have the financial power to keep their stars happy. A lack of Champions League football may have also hurt the Red Devils' chances of landing one of Guardiola's players, and he pointed out United's predicament is a lesson to other big clubs:

"

It’s a good lesson for the big clubs. They think 'we are unbeatable and strong' and they're not here. Maybe the next season they are out. That's why football is magnificent. Every single week you have to be ready. Every week you have got to show you are ready.

"

The notion the likes of Schweinsteiger and Muller didn't move to Old Trafford because United couldn't afford them seems odd, given the Red Devils spent a record £151.3 million on world-class stars like Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria, per McDonnell.

While Bayern don't have the financial need to sell some of their biggest stars, money clearly isn't United's biggest problem. Guardiola probably meant that his players are more than happy to stay with the Bavarians, and that even record-setting transfer offers wouldn't change their minds.  

Bayern's transfer strategy has been impressive in recent years, as the club has found ways to only sell star players like Kroos and Mario Mandzukic if world-class replacements like Robert Lewandowski are already in place.

Guardiola's comments certainly add intrigue to the January transfer market, as United will do business supported by record-setting revenue recorded in the past year, per talkSPORT.

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