Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has insisted that he is still baffled by one important transfer decision that Manchester United made under current manager Erik ten Hag.
Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford in 2022 after an impressive spell at Ajax, with the Manchester United manager enjoying initial success at the Premier League club.
The 54-year-old Dutchman led the Red Devils to their first major piece of silverware in six years after he captured the Carabao Cup in 2023.
Ten Hag came within touching distance of a second piece of silverware last season, only for United to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
United also finished third in the Premier League table in the 2022-23 season and secured their return to the Champions League for the current campaign.
But Ten Hag has come under pressure over an underwhelming campaign this season, with United in an uphill battle in the race for the Premier League top four.
The former Ajax boss has also overseen significant change at Old Trafford, including the departure of high-profile players like David de Gea and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Despite the exit of different players, Ten Hag has been able to strengthen parts of his United squad and bring in new talent, including key defender Lisandro Martinez.
Souness unconvinced by Man Utd transfer decision
Speaking on talkSPORT, Graeme Souness remains unconvinced over the decision to replace Manchester United legend David de Gea last summer.
De Gea left Old Trafford at the end of last season after his contract with the club expired, with the Spaniard and United unable to reach a new deal.
The ex-United No 1 had reportedly been willing to take a pay cut to agree to a new deal, but talks over a new contract broke down and De Gea became a free agent.
Erik ten Hag brought in Andre Onana, who worked under the Dutchman at Ajax, as De Gea’s successor after United signed the Cameroonian from Inter Milan.
Souness insisted that De Gea was still a “top” player and questioned if United’s play style has significantly altered with the arrival of Andre Onana at Old Trafford.
“You don’t have an infinite amount of money to spend,” he said.
“You have a budget to work with. But you go and spend £70m [£47.2m] on a goalkeeper because you want to play from the back.
“You need to prioritise. You have to try and strengthen where you really need players.
“Did they really, really need to spend that money on a goalkeeper when they had De Gea, who was still a very good goalkeeper for Man United?
“De Gea was still a top goalkeeper. Every goalkeeper will make a mistake. They’ve spent £70m [£47.2m] on a new goalkeeper but are they really playing any differently now just because Onana is better on the ball?
“That money should have been spent elsewhere and been more productive. The recruitment has been pretty average.”
Souness’ Man Utd criticism is tedious
The debate around Onana and De Gea does seem like one that will never disappear, despite United being halfway through the current season without De Gea’s presence.
De Gea, who is still a free agent, was impressive during his time at Old Trafford and could still perform at the top level for United, despite some of his mistakes.
But the time had come for the 33-year-old Spaniard to move on and, as a result, for Ten Hag to replace De Gea with a shot-stopper that best suited his style of play.
Onana has faced immense pressure this season as De Gea’s successor – and rightfully so at times – but the United No 1 has equally impressed for his side.
Souness’ criticism doesn’t change what happened and it is time to move on from the debate over whether it was the ‘right’ decision to let De Gea leave United.