Gary Neville has questioned Manchester United’s decision to sign one of Erik ten Hag’s key targets during the Dutchman’s first summer in charge.
Manchester United currently sit in 8th place in the league and are already 11 points off top spot and eight from the top four.
Erik ten Hag is coming under a bit of pressure and rightly so after what has been an abysmal start to the season and questions are now being asked about recruitment.
Gary Neville, speaking after the 3-0 Manchester derby loss, questioned one of Ten Hag’s big-money signings and has branded it a panic buy.
Neville on Antony
The former United right-back wrote on X about the signing of Antony, which was around £86 million, and believes the club made a mistake.
“We’d just lost to Brighton and Brentford and the club was in reactive panic mode as per usual and sanctioned and said “Yes” to Casemiro and Antony,” Neville said.
“It’s all on the Glazers for complete panic and lack of leadership! They’ve done this for 10 years. CR7 (Cristiano Ronaldo) to City and panic. Alexis (Sanchez) to City and panic.
“Ajax couldn’t believe we’d offered that money. Owners and Directors sanction deals. Now I agree Antony needs to do better but it was never a deal to do in those circumstances.”
Neville firmly believes that the blame lies with the owners for sanctioning such a huge amount of money for a rather unproven Eredivisie winger and it’s hard to disagree.
United’s overspending
It would be easy to blame Ten Hag for the signing of the Brazilian winger but the club have seemingly allowed yet another manager to control recruitment.
If the club had a competent sporting department then they would have recognised the money being spent on Antony was ridiculous when there were better and cheaper options.
If Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his takeover of the club, then his first port of call is to clear out the ‘sporting’ department at the club and employ the best in class people to these roles.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
