It’s fair to say that this summer’s transfer window has split opinion against fans and pundits alike.
While many have agreed that Andre Onana was a long overdue upgrade in the midfield department and Sofyan Amrabat is a great (albeit very last) signing, many of the other decisions have been questioned.
Despite a great 20 minute cameo against Arsenal, Rasmus Hojlund is still relatively inexperienced and United have taken a big risk in paying over £60m for a player with undoubted potential but not a lot of game time at the highest level.
Many are wondering whether Mason Mount was the right type of player that United needed at this moment in time – drawing comparisons to the purchase of Donny Van de Beek in 2020, a move that hasn’t worked out well for either the player or the club.
And now a former United class of ’92 midfielder has commented on what he sees as a ‘bizarre’ transfer window from The Red Devils.
Robbie Savage, who started his career at Manchester United before going on to star for the likes of Leicester City, Birmingham City and Derby County and whose son Charlie Savage just left the club on a permanent transfer in the summer, believes that United should have focused on buying a centre back in the window.
There were many names linked to the club from the likes of Kim Min-Jae, Benjamin Pavard and Jean Clair-Todibo, however the only defensive cover who arrived was Tottenham Hotspur left-back Sergio Reguilon after Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both suffered injuries.
Speaking 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?”
Savage doesn’t seem to be holding any of his thoughts back.
With Varane also now on the injury sidelines, many United fans will also be asking whether United have dug themselves a hole by not filling that area of the pitch with reinforcements in the summer.
