Gary Neville worried about Manchester United after Erik ten Hag's "panic" signing

Gary Neville was critical of Manchester United’s transfer business despite the club having sealed four Deadline Day signings.

Sofyan Amrabat has signed for United on a season-long loan with an option to buy.

As per David Ornstein, the move will see United pay an initial €10million (£8.5million) loan fee with a further €20m (£17million) option plus €5m (£4.2million) in add-ons. Moreover, United are set to cover the Moroccan international’s salary.

Anrabat follows the arrivals of Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon and Jonny Evans’s Deadline Day moves, with the club having been forced to act after an underwhelming start to the season and a defensive injury crisis.

Indeed, Reguilon moved on a season-long loan from Spurs after injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.

And Neville felt that the transfer was more of a panic signing than Amrabat.

Speaking to Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports, Neville said: “The Reguilon one is definitely a reaction to the situation that has occurred - it is more of a panic.

“I was worried (three weeks ago) that the [Mason] Mount, [Andre] Onana and [Rasmus] Hojlund signings hadn’t made United any better and if anything, they have just maintained where they are at.

“I think what we have seen in the first couple of weeks is a little bit worrying because the performance levels have been well below what I would expect.

“Nowhere near Manchester City, I don’t think any United fan is expecting that, but what we wanted was to get closer to Arsenal and make sure we stay above Chelsea, Liverpool and all the other clubs. That’s the issue at the moment.

“I think we will get better but I am a little bit more worried than I was a few weeks ago, but I was never bought into this idea that we were better - I said that a few weeks ago.”

On Amrabat however, Neville added: “I don’t think the Amrabat one is a panic because they have wanted him from day one.

“I think he’s [Ten Hag] wanted a ball-playing midfield player. Go back 12 months to Frenkie De Jong and basically, Mount isn’t a ball-playing midfielder, I think he presses well, I think he links well, I think he runs forward.

“I think he has always wanted this type of player. I don’t think it’s a panic. Erik ten Hag wants a player like this and I just don’t know why it hasn’t happened earlier, obviously the other signings were brought in earlier in the summer and there has been an issue with players going out.

“The way this season has started, the performance levels have been poor and I know they have picked up six points but it could have easily been a lot less than six points.

“Wolves and [Nottingham] Forest games they were very fortunate, so I think they have to react and get someone in because that midfield is a massive problem.”

Topics: Football, Transfers, Premier League, Manchester United, Sofyan Amrabat, Gary Neville

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.