Ten Hag in hot water over Man Utd transfers again after Ratcliffe criticism

30 October 2023 , 08:27

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Sofyan Amrabat ’s latest Manchester United display has been slammed amid Sir Jim Ratcliffe ’s ongoing criticism of Erik ten Hag’s recruitment.

The Red Devils slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon - with Erling Haaland scoring twice and Phil Foden rounding off proceedings with a third. Ahead of kick-off, Ten Hag’s team selection was widely criticised, something that continued throughout the game.

Summer loan signing Amrabat was handed a start in the Manchester derby but lasted only 45 minutes before being dragged off. Red Devils’ icon Peter Schmeichel was an outspoken critic of the Moroccan’s performance.

The Dane said: “I don’t know what his game plan was, I don’t know what he told the players but when he says they played a good first half I don’t agree.

“I mean, he makes a change at half time, there’s a reason for that because it wasn’t working in midfield. Amrabat was so far off the pace Man City basically could do whatever they wanted.

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“And the chances, yes, we had chances but they all came from Manchester City mistakes, it wasn’t like we were creating anything.”

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Sofyan Amrabat was substituted at half time during the Manchester derby (Getty Images)

That assessment will send alarm bells ringing for Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The INEOS owner has been attempting to complete a Man United takeover for the past year, but now looks set to purchase around 25 percent of the club.

He has expressed his concern over the club’s recruitment on regular occasions in the past. The 70-year-old reportedly tore into the signing of Real Madrid icon Casemiro during a meeting with chief executive Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough upon a visit to the club.

His compatriot Fred was also not free of criticism - Ratcliffe being left less than inspired by the former Shakhtar Donetsk’s £47million arrival. Speaking in 2019, he said: “[Ineos] never wants to be the dumb money in town, never, never.

“[United] haven't got the manager selection right, haven't bought well. They have been the dumb money, which you see with players like Fred.

"We won't look elsewhere until we have had a good run here [at Nice]. We need to find out how to be successful before you ever want to write a big cheque. It's quite difficult.”

The Red Devils have since sustained a considerable loss on Fred’s services after selling him for around £8.7m to Turkish side Fenerbahce in the summer. Members of their most recent batch of signings have also struggled this term.

Mason Mount has had little impact since arriving from Chelsea, while Rasmus Hojlund has yet to score his first Premier League goal. Andre Onana has also committed a series of high-profile errors following his big-money move from Inter Milan.