Man United risk repeating decade of transfer mistakes

RUBEN Amorim’s much-vaunted rebuild at Manchester United could be a false dawn for the former giants if he does not heed the lessons of the past.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

There is little to criticise in the Red Devils spending nearly £200 million on attacking reinforcements Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo this transfer window, given United's paltry return of 44 goals in 38 league games last season.

Fans should be concerned that United are signing new players before clearing out those who have underper-formed, do not fit Amorim’s tactical system, or are simply not in his plans. Many supporters had hoped his arrival would bring a revival reminiscent of the Ferguson era.

The Portuguese coach insists he cannot put his project on hold for players to leave. Fair enough. But this impatience risks creating a bloated, disjointed squad, all too familiar to supporters who have lived through a decade of managerial turmoil.

United’s great failing since 2013 has not been an unwillingness to spend. On the contrary, they have been among Europe's biggest spenders.

The problem has been an incoherent transfer and succession plan.