When analysing Manchester United’s mega-money signings post-Sir Alex Ferguson, the majority will leave you bewildered at how they were even sanctioned in the first place.
Mason Mount’s arrival last summer raised eyebrows from the Old Trafford faithful. Not because he held an 18-year association with Chelsea, but because in June of this year, he’d have been available for nothing.
Numerous reports had detailed how Mount was unwilling to extend his stay with the Blues as he was adamant about embarking on a new venture elsewhere. That, of course, ended up being with fierce rivals United, who agreed a package deal of £60 million to acquire the England star’s services in M16.
Across his maiden campaign as a Red, the 25-year-old has made just 12 Premier League appearances thus far due to three separate injury setbacks. While it’s through no fault of his own, it again just shows a pretty dire piece of business from United’s end.
There’s little need to even get started on Antony, who cost £86m and has yet to score a league goal this season. You’d struggle to find a fan that retains faith in the winger – even Erik ten Hag, after personally pushing to sign the player, has demoted him to a rotational role in the starting 11 in place of Alejandro Garnacho. The sooner United accept defeat and cuts their losses with him, the better.
Another example, and one that was named-dropped on the latest Stick to Football episode, is Jadon Sancho. He has been on loan with Borrusia Dortmund since January due to his widely-publicised fallout with Ten Hag and faces an uncertain future when he returns to United.
Even prior to his exile in September 2023, the £73m signing had shown no signs of living up to the high expectations set of him or of justifying his eye-watering fee in any way.
Sancho’s lacklustre United career
Jamie Carragher told the panel in Thursday’s episode: “I think they are the things I admire him [Ten Hag] on. I don’t think he has got them wrong at all. [Cristiano] Ronaldo had to be dealt with, and he dealt with it head-on.
“Sancho, the club looked after him for a couple of months with whatever was going on off the pitch. I think he made a very small comment.
“Let’s be honest, he did nothing for Man United. £70/80 million, and he did nothing. He dealt with that when he stepped out of line.”
I don’t think Ten Hag has been brilliant this season, but he’s been up against it with the injury problems. We seriously need to be looking at some of our backroom staff before we think about sacking the manager. We have a terrible record with set pieces, we have so many corners and free kicks and usually waste them. Everyone knows our record for conceding shots is diabolical. If I were the owner I would be getting rid of Steve McLaren he’s had his chance as have some of his colleagues. I would bring in Michael Carrick as assistant to Ten Hag along with the other changes in staff made by Ratcliffe it could make the difference.
Erik ten Haq should be sacked long time ago for being a mediocre coach.
Manchester United needs a comprehensive overhaul starting with Eric ten Hag. It’s stark reality on ground. Future decisions to get this club back on track must be devoid of needless emotions.
So unfair. Garnacho was onside against Arsenal and everyone would love me if they saw it from my angle
I’ve support United since the 60s.
It’s soul destroying to watch them at the moment , if we take the lead I always feel we could lose it at any moment .
We can’t play out from the back and the opposition know it.
The keeper is a liability, as is Casmiro( excuse spelling)
As for the dubious signings …well ( We know who they are );
Still ….Maguire , Dallot.have got better .
Something has to change .
This is my opinion as a man utd fan.