Man Utd torn aside over wasteful £183.5m switch spree – Souness EXCLUSIVE
Graeme Souness is adamant Manchester United have wasted money this summer season regardless of a £183.5million switch spree. Erik ten Hag’s stuttering aspect have already misplaced two of their opening 4 Premier League matches following back-to-back away defeats on the street at Tottenham and Arsenal.
The Red Devils additionally flattered to deceive of their two fortuitous residence victories over Wolves and Nottingham Forest, respectively.
Souness mentioned: “I don’t think Manchester United are going to be any better than they were last season.
“They’ve spent £72m on a younger centre-forward in Rasmus Hojlund, who has not acquired an important goalscoring file.
“He played 34 games for Atalanta and only hit the back of the net 10 times. Now he’s come to a league where it’s really tough to get goals.
“I is likely to be fallacious however that is one hell of of venture for anyone that does not have a confirmed monitor file.”
United also boasted the third highest netspend (£129.3m) in the Premier League this summer following the arrivals of Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Hojlund, Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon, Jonny Evans and Sofyan Amrabat.
Yet despite the influx of new recruits, Souness believes Ten Hag is still carrying several passengers who are yet to showcase the quality and consistency required to win the biggest prizes.
He added: “I wrote an article 5 years in the past stating it was the final likelihood saloon for Anthony Martial. Yet he is nonetheless beginning matches as their predominant focus in assault.
“He isn’t a Man United player. He will get you excited and then let you down.
“I nonetheless do not suppose Antony or Jadon Sancho are long-term options for United in the event that they wish to win the Premier League and Champions League. They’re nonetheless counting on Marcus Rashford.”
Ten Hag’s new first-choice goalkeeper Onana has also struggled to win over Souness following his £47m switch from Inter Milan.
The former Ajax shot-stopper, who could miss up to four United matches this winter should Cameroon qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, was lucky not to give away a stoppage-time penalty on his Premier League debut against Wolves.
Onana was then red-faced by Taiwo Awoniyi’s quick-fire opener in the recent 3-2 triumph over Forest having also previously been lobbed from the halfway line in a friendly against Lens in early August.
The former Sky Sports pundit said of United’s new No.1: “I feel Onana will make them higher at taking part in out from the again however will he do a very powerful factor in maintaining the ball out the again of the online? I’m unsure about that one.”
Ten Hag is optimistic the loan acquisition of Morocco international midfielder Amrabat from Fiorentina can help ease the workload of ageing anchorman Casemiro, who has struggled to replicate the glistening form he displayed in his first six months in United red.
Souness concluded: “I’ve been closely criticised for saying this however for my part Casemiro is a gentle Eddie. He’s participant however not one you wish to pay cash to go and watch.”
Graeme Souness was talking as one of many judges for Sky Bet’s Real Football Number Ones marketing campaign, in search of the heroes who aren’t all the time on the pitch, however are always making a distinction to the gorgeous recreation.”