‘It doesn’t work’: Wright lambasts United’s recruitment over underwhelming trio and questions Ten Hag’s suitability to job

Ian Wright has hit out at Manchester United’s woeful recruitment amidst another lacklustre campaign.

The Reds’ 3-1 Manchester derby defeat last Sunday registered an 11th Premier League loss this term, as well as their 16th in all competitions.

Indeed, injuries have played a significant part in the ever-fluctuating form, although you’d still expect that there’s enough quality across the squad to be seeing out results over the likes of Fulham and Bournemouth at home.

We’re yet to see any impact from last summer’s blockbuster signing Mason Mount, who set the club back an initial £55 million when he ended his 18-year ties with Chelsea to make the switch to Old Trafford. He has made just eight league appearances – four as a starter – due to two injury setbacks, with his return date currently unknown. 

Elsewhere, Antony started 2023/2024 where he left off in 2022/2023: dire. Zero goals or assists in 21 league outings and he now ranks behind 19-year-old Alejandro Garnacho in the pecking order; it’s worth bearing in mind that the teenager cost £85,580,000 less. 

Wright weighs in

Reacting to United’s current affairs on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, the former Arsenal man said: “You have to look at, is this the manager to take them to the next level?

“If you are looking at it now, I still don’t know what their main structure of play is. You can’t buy players like Antony and it doesn’t work. [Sofyan] Amrabat coming in, but it doesn’t work. Why did you buy Mason Mount?

“So, you are looking at players they have bought, just those three and you are thinking to yourself ‘who is making those decisions?’”