Former Manchester United assistant manager Mike Phelan has voiced concern over the state of the club’s squad under outgoing boss Erik ten Hag, advising prospective new manager Ruben Amorim on the changes needed to restore the team’s competitive edge, Soccernet.football reports.
Speaking with former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan on talkSPORT, Phelan didn’t mince words, calling United’s recent recruitment strategy misguided.
Assessing United’s transfer approach under Ten Hag, Phelan highlighted significant spending without substantial improvement.
“You’re looking at 15-16 players come into the club and a spend of probably £600m in two years,” he said.
In reality, the total stands at £616m, with 21 senior players, including loan signings, brought in during Ten Hag’s tenure. However, the squad has struggled to match the level of Premier League rivals such as Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City.
Jordan echoed this view, describing the current roster as “the worst squad that the club have ever assembled” and pointing out that only Bruno Fernandes might realistically vie for a starting position at United’s direct competitors.
Jordan argued that even Fernandes, while talented, would likely need to relinquish his captaincy role if he joined one of these clubs. “How are you going to eclipse these teams?” he questioned.
Phelan agreed, adding that despite the financial outlay, Ten Hag’s recruits have yet to bring the desired impact.
“I look at some of the names and numbers, £600m in two years, has he improved these roles?” he asked. “Who’s he hanging his hat on? Is it Mainoo, is it Garnacho, is it Fernandes? What about the others? Where do you hang your hat?”
Though several current players were recruited during Phelan’s stint as assistant manager under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he insists the club has prioritised quantity over quality.
With Ruben Amorim poised to step in, Phelan’s pointed remarks suggest a full-scale overhaul may be in order.