Neil Warnock has taken aim at Manchester United’s flawed recruitment strategy, arguing that the club should have prioritized signing Declan Rice instead of wasting millions on unsuccessful transfers.
United’s struggles in the transfer market have been a recurring issue since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. Despite spending vast sums on new players, many have failed to meet expectations at Old Trafford.
One of the most glaring examples, according to Warnock, is the £73 million spent on Jadon Sancho, a deal he believes reflects the club’s poor decision-making.
Speaking on The Seaman Says podcast with Betway, the former Premier League manager pointed to Arsenal’s acquisition of Rice as a move United should have made instead.
Warnock is convinced that Manchester United should have outbid Arsenal for Rice in the summer of 2023, when the England midfielder left West Ham in a £100 million transfer.
“I thought Man United should have signed Declan Rice before he went to Arsenal,” Warnock said. “Spend a good amount on a top-quality player rather than buying three or four average ones.”
He criticized United’s transfer strategy, contrasting the guaranteed impact of Rice with the club’s risky signings.
“When you look at Declan, it’s not a gamble. He might have an off-game here and there, but he’s a consistent performer. Was it Sancho they paid £70 million for? Some of the money they’ve thrown away has been shocking.”
Since joining Arsenal, Rice has become an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s squad, helping the Gunners mount three consecutive title challenges and playing a crucial role for England in back-to-back European Championship finals.
Despite his success, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes recently questioned Rice’s exact role under Arteta.
“I’m not disappointed by him, but I don’t really know what he is anymore,” Scholes admitted. “Is he a holding midfielder? I’ve heard Gary Neville say he should be getting forward and scoring goals. I’ve never seen him that way.”
Scholes suggested that Rice and Arteta may still be figuring out his best position, saying:
“I think he’s almost stuck, not really knowing his exact role, and Arteta might be unsure as well.”
As the 2025-26 season heads toward its conclusion, Rice will be instrumental in Arsenal’s push for silverware.
The Gunners trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by seven points but remain in contention for their first league title since 2004.
Meanwhile, they impressed in the Champions League group stage but face tough competition from the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Atletico Madrid in their quest for European glory.