Manchester United's summer transfer window has already led to regret for the club's hierarchy following their poor start to the season under Michael Carrick
Harry Maguire
Manchester United have some regrets about thier summer transfer window(Image: News Images/NurPhoto)
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Manchester United chiefs have already held their hands up to a number of transfer regrets this summer and privately accepted that Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans were a 'long way down the list' in the summer ambitions. Senior figures have also suggested that there is a degree of regret over not signing a left-back.
United's draw with Tottenham has seen the club record their worst league start in 40 years, having picked up only six points from their opening six matches. Already, there are concerns about United's squad, which has looked short on confidence in the opening weeks, following a strong end to last season.
The club spent £155million in the transfer market over the summer, signing Santos, Tielemans and Carlos Baleba as they replenished their midfield. However, it is a figure that falls short of the £225.2m they splashed 12 months ago on restocking their forward options with Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.
There is a degree of remorse, just weeks on from the second phase of their rebuild at Old Trafford, over the decisions they made, per the Sun. Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ederson were among United's preferred picks over Santos and Tielemans.
Tielemans has started all eight United matches this season, but Santos, signed for £50m, has only featured for 16 minutes since he started in the defeat to Hull City on the opening day. United are reported to be particularly regretful that they had to withdraw from signing Ederson after an issue cropped up during the Atalanta star's medical.
Likewise, there is disappointment that they did not strengthen at left-back to provide greater backup for Luke Shaw, despite being linked to Newcastle star Lewis Hall.
Andrey Santos
Andrey Santos has started just one Premier League game since signing for Manchester United(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United)
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Speaking following their defeat to Spurs, Jamie Redknapp suggested Michael Carrick did not have the quality in his squad to be successful. He was not impressed by their performance, particularly criticising the midfield.
"I do not see enough connections in that midfield and they look devoid of any confidence, ideas, or patterns of play, playing out the back and Tottenham were just much better than them in every department, but that is just a theme this season," Redknapp said.
"Their energy levels are not good enough and they look loose going forward, there was no real structure.
"The squad is not good or strong enough and Michael [Carrick] needs help in that respect."
"In terms of how they played today, they have an issue with Tielemans and Mainoo in midfield," he added. "I do not see enough energy in there.
"Baleba will add a lot and will give them a tremendous amount of energy."