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Manchester United’s transfer approach is being torn apart.
Manchester United’s recruitment strategy has left a lot to be discussed and speculation is rising as we approach the summer transfer window.
Only time will tell how different this Ruben Amorim side will look once the 2025/26 season starts but a lot of changes are expected to unfold. Jim Ratcliffe has publicly discussed his backing for the manager but he made comments about how he viewed some players as ‘not good enough’ and ‘overpaid’.
With United currently sat 14th in the Premier League table, criticism is being pelted at them from all angles. The majority of results so far this season have left a lot to be desired and a number of players have come into the firing line.
Every week, United are a talking point among fans and professionals alike. Once again, pundits have slammed the transfer strategy at Old Trafford in recent years.
Sky Sports pundits slam Man United transfers
Anthony is among a host of big-money flops signed by Man UnitedAnthony is among a host of big-money flops signed by Man United
Anthony is among a host of big-money flops signed by Man United | Manchester United via Getty Imag
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, Paul Merson referred back to Antony as a glaring example of where United have gone wrong in their recruitment. The Reds agreed an £85 million deal for the Brazilian back in 2022, but he’s struggled to make a mark on the team.
“What we’ve got to look at is the all-round picture of what Erik ten Hag has done, and whoever was the sporting director at the time. I don’t want to go back to Antony again, but Antony, £80 million odd, that is bordering on criminal. It is, it’s criminal. In football terms, it’s criminal,” Merson said.
“Now he’s on loan in Spain and it’s just brushed aside. It’s like, ‘oh it doesn’t matter, it’s just a failure’. How many players have they bought in the last year, two years, that have been a massive success at Man United? The only one I can think of is Harry Maguire, I think Maguire has done alright.”
Kris Boyd followed up and took aim at some of United’s star players failing to live up to their price tag or status on the transfer market. He compared the current system at the club compared to the famous era under Sir Alex Ferguson and his ability to nurture rising stars into world class players.
Fergie comparison made as United approach criticised
“There’s a lot of people turning up at Manchester United, and whether it’s the pressure of the history, the pressure of having to win, they can’t handle it. [Mathijs] De Ligt... a few years ago you’re speaking about one of the best defenders in world football, and he’s plummeted,” Boyd said.
“The interesting thing is that they’re now shopping in a market where it has to be spot on, and it’s not going to be. Teams like Brighton and Bournemouth, they’ve got a proper structure in place that allows them to go and get talented kids, Manchester United don’t have that.
“We’ve all grown up with the class of 92, in terms of youngsters coming through, they’re not there anymore. United were able to go and spend bigger money on other players because they had nucleus of a youth team that was coming through.
“The infrastructure on the pitch for the first team is bad but Sir Alex Ferguson said, ‘I want the best young players at my club’, that’s gone as well.”
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