Man Utd have fallen behind eternal rivals Liverpool in recent years due to some shoddy signings in the transfer window – and Red Devils legend Eric Cantona has called for change
Eric Cantona has told Manchester United to “be clever like Liverpool” in the transfer window.
Erik ten Hag has done an impressive job of instilling order at Old Trafford and returning to winning ways in recent months. But the Red Devils boss raised a few eyebrows by closing in on the signing of Burnley flop Wout Weghorst this week.
That comes despite the Dutch manager admitting United’s signings over the past 10 years have been “average”. And club legend Cantona is in agreement, with the maverick Frenchman offering some stern words of advice to his former club.
Speaking to The Times, the 56-year-old urged United to look at replicating Jurgen Klopp’s methods at Liverpool when it comes to signing players.
He said: “You have to be clever. Clever like Liverpool. They took Mane and Salah, not the best players in the world, but with a great team and a great atmosphere, together they won things.
“And then [Sadio] Mane and [Mohamed] Salah became the best players in the world. That’s a great example for United.”
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United have splashed out £80million on Harry Maguire, £76m on Jadon Sancho and most recently £85m on Antony, all within the last four years. None of those players have come anywhere near justifying their price-tags yet.
Meanwhile, Klopp’s shrewd activity in the transfer market has seen him take educated punts on Mane, Salah and Andy Robertson for low fees, while only splashing when he needs to on the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker.
The result over seven years has been a gradual build-up into becoming one of the most feared sides in the world – this season’s struggles aside. And Klopp has been rewarded with both a Premier League title and the club’s sixth Champions League triumph.
[READ NEXT] Man Utd presented with £3 billion plans that include Old Trafford upgrade and new stadium
Manchester United have a big decision to make over the future of their home and have been presented with Old Trafford upgrade plans or the possibility of a new stadium
Manchester United have been presented with a variety of stadium plans including an upgrade for Old Trafford and the building of a new home.
However, any club decision is on hold due to United’s uncertain ownership situation. The Glazer family, who bought United for £790million back in 2005, put the Old Trafford club on the market in November. Mirror Football understands the family is looking for as much as £8billion to sell – a fee that eclipses the £4.2bn Todd Boehly paid for Chelsea.
Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is a United fan, has been linked with an offer and has previously received calls from the club’s fanbase and ex-United director Michael Knighton to get involved in a takeover, but he poured cold water on the suggestion earlier this year.
Last month, it emerged that the Glazer family did not take dividend payments from United for the first time in six years, partly due to the club’s huge transfer spend this summer. Any major decisions on the club’s future, including permanent transfers, will be held up until the club’s future is clarified.
One of the main bones of contention from United’s fanbase in recent years has been the lack of investment in their Old Trafford home, which many believe has now become outdated and requires a major revamp to bring it into line with modern, elite stadiums across Europe.
United have two main options for their future; an upgrade of Old Trafford – the club’s home for the past 112 years – or to build a new stadium, which would have a higher cost but would also bring other advantages including some financial opportunities.
The club appointed consultants Legends International and Populous – the agency who managed Tottenham ’s new stadium – with a report in the Mail outlining how they have now returned their findings to the club with the two main options available.
The thoughts behind building a new stadium would be that United could continue playing at Old Trafford during the interim period and not lose out on any matchday income, although it is believed this could cost £2bn – which would be approximately double the price of a renovation to their current home.
While United are keen to increase their current 74,000 capacity, it is believed that modernising and increasing the size of the club’s lucrative corporate hospitality facilities on matchdays are a cornerstone of their ambitions.
SOURCE: dailystar.co.uk, mirror.co.uk
