Gary Neville believes Manchester United's failure to sign a top-class striker in January is a key reason for their struggles.
According to club legend Gary Neville, Manchester United let Erik ten Hag down by failing to buy a striker during the January transfer window.
After losing to Newcastle United on Sunday, United dropped to fourth place in the Premier League, one point ahead of Tottenham, who they still have a game to play. A fierce battle for a top-four finish is now imminent.
Six of United's seven losses have come on the road this season, and the impending visits to face fellow European contenders Tottenham and Brighton and Hove Albion will be a reason for concern.
Neville claims that the club's problems are a result of their inability to sufficiently sign a replacement forward during the midseason window when Cristiano Ronaldo left.
If you look at it, Erik ten Hag was severely let down in January. Since Cristiano Ronaldo and Piers Morgan conducted their interview in November," the Sky Sports analyst claimed.
He was always going to leave when the World Cup got underway. Before the transfer period started, Manchester United had six weeks.
They deliberately chose not to give Erik ten Hag the money since they did not have it. They decided to explicitly inform him that he would need to bring in a loaner.
"Who will provide a top-tier striker to Manchester United in January? Nobody will take that action.
"In no way do I blame Wout Weghorst. He did a really great job. He is a stand-in for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United, and he, in my opinion, is giving it his all on the field.
"He is certainly not good enough to play as a striker for Manchester United. But in January, they required assistance.
"In addition to losing Anthony Martial, they also lost Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani in the summer. You need a center forward to play. Your center forward and goalkeeper must both perform well for your team to play extremely well. Just a rule, really. Not every time, he performs well.
"Erik ten Hag was therefore severely let down by the club in January in that they could not afford to sign anyone else due to their $900 million debt. The unpleasant reality is that."
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