Man Utd told they made ‘massive’ mistake letting former player leave | Football

Manchester United hero Paul Parker believes his former club are still paying the price for a ‘massive’ transfer mistake they made two years ago.

United’s dismal form under Ruben Amorim continued on Sunday as the Manchester giants lost their 12th league game of the season, suffering a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham.

The deflating loss leaves Manchester United 15th in the Premier League, just three places and 12 points above the relegation zone.

Two-time title winner Parker says there are any number of problems at Old Trafford, one being the team’s defensive fragility.

The Red Devils spent almost £50m to sign Andre Onana in 2023 but Parker still has doubts over the Cameroon international and believes it was a ‘massive’ mistake to let David de Gea leave.

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De Gea recovered from a shaky start at United to establish himself as one of the club’s greatest goalkeepers, making over 500 appearances and winning four Player of the Year awards.

The Spaniard was keen to extend his stay at Manchester United but the club decided to let his contract run down and he left in the summer of 2023, joining Serie A side Fiorentina as a free agent 12 months later.

Discussing some of the problems his former club face, Parker told Betfred: ‘Looking at the backline now, there’s no great pace.

‘And you look at the goalkeeper, I think they made a massive mistake letting David de Gea go so quickly.

‘They could have kept him there, built a team and then discussed bringing in a new goalkeeper. For me, it’s more important for a goalkeeper to use his hands rather than his feet.

‘The midfield lacks creativity, so buying two players isn’t going to be enough. Do clubs want to let players go to Manchester United and more importantly, do players want to come to Manchester United at this time?

‘If you’re going to walk into a frying pan, does it make any sense? If you’re looking from the outside, then Manchester United isn’t a good place to be at this moment in time.’

United were expected to climb up the table under Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford hot-seat back in November.

But the Red Devils have in fact dropped two places further down the table and ‘look worse’ under ex-Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim, according to Glenn Murray.

‘It’s hard to believe, but I think they probably do [look worse than they did under Ten Hag],’ the ex-Premier League striker told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast.

‘There’s definitely a lack of belief. It might be the case that the players aren’t top players – but make them top players, coach them into being top players.

‘We’ve seen it at lesser clubs – your Bournemouth’s and Brighton’s. Why can’t Manchester United and Amorim do it? He’s not been in the job long and he’s set his stall out – they’re going to play his way whether it suits the players or not.

‘But, when I look at the group, they’re all international footballers, they should be able to play in different positions. They should be capable.

‘United are playing as a bunch of individuals. It seems almost like a stepping-stone club now – I’ll come, do my bit then get out.

‘The most damning thing wasn’t even the players on the pitch, it was the players who have left the club doing better at other clubs under different structures. Is it a cultural thing?’

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