Gary Neville says only one Manchester United player signed in the past 10 years has lived up to expectations.
United could be in for another summer overhaul after a disappointing campaign under manager Erik ten Hag, with the Dutchman rumoured to be on his way out as new owner Jim Ratcliffe looks to restore the club to former glory.
The Red Devils have struggled to replicate the success they enjoyed under Alex Ferguson, who retired in 2013. Since then, United have been shut out of the Premier League title, with an FA Cup in 2016 and a pair of Carabao Cup titles the lone pieces of hardware won since Ferguson's departure.
Neville, who won over 20 trophies under Ferguson in the 1990s and 2000s, believes a major part of United's struggles in the post-Ferguson era is player recruitment. Using Jadon Sancho's pre- and post-United success at Borussia Dortmund as an example, Neville illustrated how several players with big reputations arrived at Old Trafford and failed to live up to the hype, often finding further success after they left the team.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Neville said only one player managed to buck the trend.
“I think over the last 10 years, there’s only been one player that United have signed that I think has actually lived up to expectations, or achieved what he has previous and that’s Bruno Fernandes, I can’t think of another signing that has gone onto excel at the club," Neville said.
"Luke Shaw, to be fair when he’s been fit, has played at a high level I think, and grown from where he was maybe at Southampton – you could maybe argue that.
"But all the other big signings, whether its [Ángel] Di Maria, [Bastian] Schweinsteiger, [Radamel] Falcao, whether it’s [Paul] Pogba, whether it’s [Harry] Maguire, [Mason] Mount this season, [Raphaël] Varane, every player – why is it that Jadon Sancho can come in, then all of a sudden just go back there [and succeed]?”
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