Jamie Carragher has voiced strong criticism of Manchester United’s recent transfer approach, arguing that the club is too focused on big-name signings rather than assessing players’ potential contributions and underlying strengths.
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This remark follows United’s struggles this season, which saw manager Erik ten Hag dismissed after a challenging run, capped by a narrow 2-1 loss to West Ham.
Carragher believes this tendency to prioritize high-profile acquisitions undermines team progress, leaving United’s squad short of practical talent.
With Manchester United currently in 14th place in the Premier League and still winless in Europe, Carragher highlighted young striker Joshua Zirkzee as emblematic of this misguided recruitment approach.
Carragher noted, “It feels like United are too obsessed with stellar names rather than paying enough attention to their underlying numbers,” singling out Zirkzee’s performances as “miles off” the expected level.
He cited past decisions, such as the acquisition of Matthijs de Ligt, who faced challenges at Juventus and Bayern Munich, questioning United’s presumption that he would thrive at Old Trafford.
Similarly, Manuel Ugarte’s limited role at PSG didn’t prevent United from showing interest.
Manchester United’s board, keen to fill the managerial vacancy promptly, is reported to have held promising talks with Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, the frontrunner to replace ten Hag permanently.
Former United player Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken over as interim manager as the club reviews options, with Amorim considered a near-lock for the permanent role.
Reflecting on the situation, Carragher drew parallels to Liverpool’s past, likening United’s delays in managerial change to Liverpool’s timing with Brendan Rodgers in 2015, just before Jurgen Klopp’s hiring.
