Former Manchester United winger Ian Storey-Moore has expressed frustration with Erik ten Hag’s transfer hit rate ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s sporting upheaval at Old Trafford. The INEOS founder is expected to take the recruitment reins once his £1.3billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in the club is ratified.
Ten Hag has splashed over £400million across his two summer transfer windows as United manager, but he needs only one hand to count the successful additions.
Since Ten Hag entered the hot seat, the Red Devils have spent big money on Antony, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Andre Onana and Rasmus Hojlund.
Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez enjoyed sublime maiden seasons in England, but injuries have taken their toll on their form and availability this term.
Ten Hag made Antony the club’s second-most expensive signing at £86m, but he looks unlikely to repay that valuation.
The jury is firmly still out on Mount and Onana. And while Hojlund has shown promising glimpses, particularly in Europe, he’s failed to score in his first 14 Premier League appearances.
The 20-year-old landed in Manchester in a £72m deal from Atalanta, but club figures understood they were signing a raw talent who would need time to adapt to English football.
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Storey-Moore, who shared a dressing room with iconic forwards, including Sir Bobby Charlton and George Best, has liked what he’s seen from Hojlund so far.
“What I would say about him is he’s a very, very willing boy. Very willing,” Storey-Moore told Express Sport.
“He runs his socks off for the team; he chases lost causes; he’s a decent header of the ball, and he’s a handful. The only thing he’s lacking now is goals in the Premier League.
“He’s done quite well in the Champions League. I think once he starts scoring in the Premier League, you might just see him drawing confidence.”
However, Storey-Moore believes the Hojlund signing has to come good for Ten Hag’s sake after a string of failed attacking acquisitions in M16.
And he has questioned how much of an impact Ratcliffe could actually have at Old Trafford, given the power the Dutchman has held over transfers in his first 18 months.
He added: “I think he’s got a chance to play on a regular basis for the club. I hope he does because he seems like a very willing boy, a very honest boy. But if it doesn’t work out, that’s another one that’s failed, isn’t it?
“It’s got to work out for Ten Hag, that one. Otherwise, you’re looking at players like Antony, Hojlund, and Sancho; there are quite a few there that have been disappointing.
“It’s easier said than done [Ratcliffe’s planned upheaval improving recruitment]. Who’s making that final decision, really? Ratcliffe or Ten Hag?”
