Gary Neville slams three Man Utd signings and accuses the Glazers of playing Football Manager

Gary Neville slammed three Manchester United transfers which he believes were examples of the club playing Football Manager.

The former United skipper has regularly blamed the Glazers for the recent failings at Old Trafford and the way in which they have mismanaged the club.

But the Red Devils appear to be getting a genuine structure again following on from INEOS billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25 per cent purchase.

United are already making moves off the pitch to bring the club back to the glory days, with Omar Berrada coming from rivals Manchester City as the new CEO.

The 13-time Premier League winners are also targeting a move for Newcastle United's sporting director Dan Ashworth, who could command a £20 million fee.

Neville is hopeful that United will finally get it right after a period in which he believes the club effectively played Football Manager when it came to signings.

He cited Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic as three high-profile players who underlined the problems with recruitment at the club.

Image: Getty

"When you think for 10 years every Manchester United manager has operated without a CEO that’s actually been in a football club before, without a sporting director, without a head of recruitment. It’s madness, forget negligence, it’s just madness. It would never happen at any other club," Neville told Sky Sports after United's win over Luton on Sunday.

"The more I think about it, what the Glazers have done is show blind loyalty to people who have been really good to them over a long period of time at the club. Ed Woodward was at the club for 10-12 years before he became CEO, he was working on the commercial side. They’ve been very loyal to him and believed everything he said. I’m sure Ed believed in what he was doing as well.

"I said it probably 10 years ago, it was like they were playing Football Manager. "They can go and have a look at some of the best players in the world. [Angel] Di Maria, [Radamel] Falcao, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and they played Football Manager with the club for 10 years without having serious people operating the club, which other clubs have. It’s unbelievable."

INEOS' 25 per cent stake in United is set to be confirmed this week, while an official approach for Ashworth has been made.

Image: Getty

Newcastle have confirmed that the former FA director of elite development, requested his release and has now been placed on gardening leave.

The two clubs still need to negotiate as his deal stipulates he cannot work for another club until 2025 unless compensation is agreed.

Newcastle chief executive Darren Eales said: "We are naturally disappointed that Dan has chosen to leave, however our exciting journey doesn't stop and the process to recruit a new sporting director will begin immediately. We thank Dan for his efforts at Newcastle United and we wish him and his family well for the future."

Topics: Gary Neville, Manchester United, Premier League, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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