Ex-Manchester United star Louis Saha spotted a big flaw in Manchester United’s transfer business over the summer.
Manchester United welcomed five new signings this summer at a total cost of just over £230 million.
The summer business ran right up until the final minutes of deadline day when an £18m deal for Senne Lammens was finalised.
Overall, United’s transfer window has been strong, but it is no secret that Ruben Amorim wanted an “athletic” midfielder over the summer and was denied his wish.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesMan United told they made a summer transfer ‘mistake’
Most United fans will be pleased with this summer’s business, especially coming off the back of a season where the club finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for European football.
It became clear that the priority was to overhaul United’s attack, and the centre-piece of the new-look front three is Benjamin Sesko.
However, former United striker Louis Saha believes the Slovenian could struggle because he has no experienced partner to lean on.
Speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Saha said: “Physically, he’s not going to have a huge amount of things to do. Tactically, I think is going to be the challenge because the team is in transition. The manager has to figure out how to play.
“The problems identified over the last three or four years (at United) is having the responsibility as a number nine or as a forward when you’re young.
“You’re still learning, you’re making mistakes. You don’t know how to connect with the players as much as maybe Bruno Fernandes, as much as (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic before, or players like Andy Cole.
“There (was a) combination at Man United to have a young player with a lot of talents, who’s going to disrupt, who’s going to actually bring in unpredictability, but at the same time, you have experience where it’s very valuable and you’re going to actually pass on the information.
“This is not the case in the last three or four years. So it’s been a really big mistake and I think they’ve done it again.”
A flaw in Ineos’ transfer strategy
This summer taught us plenty of lessons around Ineos’ transfer strategy, given it was the second summer transfer window since the takeover.
In both summer windows under Ineos, United have made five major signings, and the top priority was to sign young players full of potential.
Amorim targeted Premier League-proven players, but Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo were the oldest signings of the window at 26 years old.
READ MORE: What Ineos think of Man Utd’s summer transfer window, dressing room stance and January plans emerge
While that sets United up for a strong future, it does mean that there is a lack of experience among the squad.
Amorim has created a six-man leadership group, but there is a clear lack of experience up front with Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee still early into their careers.