Erik ten Hag spent £175m this summer (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Manchester United’s transfer window was ‘bizarre’ and their failure to sign a centre-back that will improve the squad will cost them this season.
That’s according to Robbie Savage, who admits he was confused by the club’s transfer business this summer.
United spent around £172m on six signings, with Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Altay Bayindir and Jonny Evans arriving on permanent deals.
Sofyan Amrabat and Sergio Reguilon also joined the club on deadline day, arriving in loan deals from Fiorentina and Tottenham respectively.
United have lost two of their opening four matches this season, including a dramatic defeat to Arsenal last Sunday.
They ended the game at the Emirates with a back four of Diogo Dalot, Evans, Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, following injury to Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof during the loss.
Raphael Varane and Luke Shaw are already long-term absentees, while the likes of Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Mount and Tyrell Malacia are also sidelined.
And Savage says United’s ‘bizarre’ window has failed to address their issues.
United are down to their fourth and fifth choice centre-backs (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Speaking exclusively to Planet Sport Bet, Savage said: ‘What I can’t understand is why Manchester United have not brought in a centre-back who can improve the squad, that is the glaring position which they need. Against Arsenal they finished the game with what are probably their fourth and fifth choice centre-backs on the pitch.
‘They reached two cup finals last year and finished third, now they are ending a game away to Arsenal with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot playing at left-back!
‘United knew about Raphael Varane’s injury record, they had Lisandro Martinez just coming back from injury, and even knowing these factors they only signed Jonny Evans on a one-year deal at the age of 35. Knowing internally what the different situations were, I cannot understand why they didn’t go in for a centre-back. It is unbelievable to think that a club the size of Manchester United are in this situation.
‘I think it has been a bizarre transfer window and it has been evident that they needed a centre-back and they haven’t got one of the calibre to play for United right now. The question I would ask is whether Manchester United are now going backwards?’
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