Graeme Souness questions Erik ten Hag’s ‘gambles’ in Manchester United’s transfer window
Graeme Souness has questioned Erik ten Hag’s business in the transfer market this summer, and says the club have taken huge ‘gambles’. Manchester United spent around £180m on Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat, while Sergio Reguilon and Jonny Evans also arrived.
But the Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the campaign, losing two of their first four fixtures. United take on Brighton at Old Trafford after the international break and anything but a win will pile the pressure on Ten Hag, even at this early stage in the season.
Hojlund could be given his full debut against the Seagulls after an impressive cameo against Arsenal earlier this month. But Souness believes United have taken a huge gamble on the ‘unproven’ Dane, while he’s also questioned Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Casemiro and Onana.
Souness: ‘Manchester United are not going to be any better than last season’
“I don’t think Manchester United are going to be any better than they were last season,” Souness told the Daily Express. “They’ve spent £72m on a young centre-forward in Rasmus Hojlund, who has not got a great goalscoring record.
“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 might be wrong but that’s one hell of a gamble for somebody that doesn’t have a proven track record.
Souness questions Martial, Sancho and Onana
“I wrote an article five years ago stating it was the last chance saloon for Anthony Martial. Yet he’s still starting matches as their main focal point in attack. He isn’t a Man United player. He will get you excited and then let you down.
“I still don’t think Antony or Jadon Sancho are long-term solutions for United if they want to win the Premier League and Champions League. They’re still relying on Marcus Rashford.
“I think Onana will make them better at playing out from the back but will he do the most important thing in keeping the ball out the back of the net? I’m not sure about that one.
Souness: ‘Casemiro is a steady Eddie’
“I’ve been heavily criticised for saying this but in my view Casemiro is a steady Eddie. He’s a good player but not one you want to pay money to go and watch.
Graeme Souness has questioned Erik ten Hag’s transfer business this summer, suggesting that Manchester United have taken huge gambles on players such as Andre Onana, Mason Mount, Rasmus Hojlund and Sofyan Amrabat. Souness believes that Anthony Martial, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Casemiro and Onana are not long-term solutions for United if they want to win the Premier League and Champions League.
The Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the campaign, losing two of their first four fixtures. Hojlund could be given his full debut against Brighton after an impressive cameo against Arsenal earlier this month. But Souness believes United have taken a huge gamble on the ‘unproven’ Dane.
Souness said: “I don’t think Manchester United are going to be any better than they were last season. They’ve spent £72m on a young centre-forward in Rasmus Hojlund, who has not got a great goalscoring record. 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 might be wrong but that’s one hell of a gamble for somebody that doesn’t have a proven track record.”
Souness also questioned Anthony Martial, Jadon San