Gary Neville delivers scathing verdict of Manchester United's transfer strategy as he claims Antony is 'nowhere near' the £85m the club spent on him... and points finger at Erik ten Hag's role in recruitment
- United suffered another defeat on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest
- They have spent large sums on players without seeing much of a return so far
- Chris Sutton and Ian Ladyman give their best sporting moments of the year on It's All Kicking Off
Gary Neville has launched a fresh attack on Manchester United's spending following their defeat to Nottingham Forest.
United failed to back-up their impressive comeback win over Aston Villa last week at The City Ground, losing 2-1 to Forest despite piling on the pressure after pulling the game back to 1-1 in the second half.
The result means United could drop to as low as 10th once sides around them have caught up regarding games played, with Brighton, Newcastle and Bournemouth all hot on their tails.
It's been a dismal season so far for the Red Devils, despite a heavy spend and backing of manager Erik ten Hag, who has failed to deliver in charge so far.
Former United defender Neville, speaking on Sky Sports, questioned the recruitment strategy of the club and the fees paid for some of the players.
![Gary Neville (not pictured) has launched a fresh attack on Manchester United's recruitment strategy](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/31/00/79470201-0-image-a-33_1703982058440.jpg)
Gary Neville (not pictured) has launched a fresh attack on Manchester United's recruitment strategy
![Neville (pictured) bashed his former side for spending large sums of money on players who have provided little in return](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/31/00/79470193-0-image-a-34_1703982061627.jpg)
Neville (pictured) bashed his former side for spending large sums of money on players who have provided little in return
![United fell to their latest defeat on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest at The City Ground](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/31/00/79470205-0-image-a-35_1703982064699.jpg)
United fell to their latest defeat on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Nottingham Forest at The City Ground
'The £85m spent on Antony is the one that is going to stand out,' he said. 'He's obviously nowhere near that level but even £70m on Rasmus Hojlund is a lot of money, £55m on Mason Mount, £60m for Casemiro on a five-year deal is a lot of money.
'There's a lot of deals you can start to look at with a glass half empty when you look at the recruitment.
'Gone are the days where managers would travel three or four nights a week to watch other players. They would been like a chief scout or a head of the academy.
'It's now a global scouting game with people going across the world. Those people have to be trusted to go and select the right players.'
A number of players have arrived from Ten Hag's old side, Ajax, including Antony and Lisandro Martinez.
With it rare that managers will have the final say on transfers at the top level in the modern game, Ten Hag will likely have had an influence on the arrivals, though potentially not on the money spent.
Neville went onto question the Dutchman's role in the player recruitment process, and picked out the deal to sign Antony as an example of where he and the club have gone wrong.
![Neville picked out Antony (pictured) in particular, who cost United £85m but has been incredibly underwhelming](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/31/00/79470191-0-image-a-36_1703982069472.jpg)
Neville picked out Antony (pictured) in particular, who cost United £85m but has been incredibly underwhelming
![He questioned whether manager Erik ten Hag (pictured) 'overruled' others to secure the deal for the former Ajax man](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/31/00/79470207-0-image-a-37_1703982087453.jpg)
He questioned whether manager Erik ten Hag (pictured) 'overruled' others to secure the deal for the former Ajax man
'What looks to have happened here with United...' Neville began. 'Scouts can't have gone off to watch Antony and signed him off as being worth £85m.
'It looks like they've allowed Erik ten Hag to overrule them which is worrying because you need strength of leadership at the very top.
'I blame the football club for brining him in for £85m. It's not that boy's fault that he's been brought in as one of the most expensive wide players in world football.
'He should never have been brought in for that money.'
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