Neville attacks Man Utd's 'desperate' transfer strategy amid Arnautovic links
Gary Neville has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United's transfer strategy following their 2-1 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, calling the Red Devils 'desperate' amid reports linking them with Marko Arnautovic.
United began the Erik ten Hag era in dismal fashion on Sunday as Pascal Gross' brace condemned them to a defeat against the Seagulls on matchday one.
The result made Ten Hag the first United boss to lose his first Premier League game at the helm since Louis van Gaal did so against Swansea City in August 2014.
With striker Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and compatriot Anthony Martial injured, United struggled to test a resolute Brighton rear guard and fell just one goal when Alexis Mac Allister crossed his own net.
In the aftermath of United's loss, multiple reports suggested they had rejected a £7.6m (€9m) bid for 33-year-old Bologna striker Arnautovic years.
United have also failed to land target Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona so far, and Neville hasn't been shy about discussing the club's recruitment.
"The first thing you do when Manchester United's phone rings is to reject the offer because the reality is that after losing that game to Brighton on Sunday they are actually negotiating in an even worse position than Manchester United. they weren't on Saturday, and that's an even bigger issue for them," the former United defender told Sky Sports.
"I have a comment on everything in the world, apart from Manchester United signing Marko Arnautovic. I have nothing to say.
"We saw Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edison Cavani, Odion Ighalo - desperate, it's a pattern.
"It happens over and over again. I don't even get angry or excited about it anymore. I'm not going to comment on it."
Micah Richards was also unimpressed with the potential acquisition of Arnautovic, adding: "What happened to Manchester United, seriously? I'm not going to drive the point home. Arnautovic was a player of quality, but he is 33 years old and plays in Italy.”
After playing in the Premier League for Stoke City and West Ham, Arnautovic spent two years in China with the port of Shanghai before moving to Bologna – for whom he scored 14 Serie A goals last season – in 2021 .
In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag refused to mention Arnautovic by name, lamenting only the unavailability of his team's forwards, with Ronaldo limited to one substitute appearance.
"I'm not going into names because I think in this pre-season there are 250 players involved or linked to Manchester United, so that's it," said Ten Hag. "We have two forwards, maybe a third, with Marcus Rashford as well.
"We considered him a striker, but he had a very good pre-season on the left side and today he had two very good chances coming from the left side.
"So I think it was the right decision to do that, the typical number nine was not available today."
Gary Neville has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United's transfer strategy following their 2-1 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion, calling the Red Devils 'desperate' amid reports linking them with Marko Arnautovic.
United began the Erik ten Hag era in dismal fashion on Sunday as Pascal Gross' brace condemned them to a defeat against the Seagulls on matchday one.
The result made Ten Hag the first United boss to lose his first Premier League game at the helm since Louis van Gaal did so against Swansea City in August 2014.
With striker Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench and compatriot Anthony Martial injured, United struggled to test a resolute Brighton rear guard and fell just one goal when Alexis Mac Allister crossed his own net.
In the aftermath of United's loss, multiple reports suggested they had rejected a £7.6m (€9m) bid for 33-year-old Bologna striker Arnautovic years.
United have also failed to land target Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona so far, and Neville hasn't been shy about discussing the club's recruitment.
"The first thing you do when Manchester United's phone rings is to reject the offer because the reality is that after losing that game to Brighton on Sunday they are actually negotiating in an even worse position than Manchester United. they weren't on Saturday, and that's an even bigger issue for them," the former United defender told Sky Sports.
"I have a comment on everything in the world, apart from Manchester United signing Marko Arnautovic. I have nothing to say.
"We saw Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edison Cavani, Odion Ighalo - desperate, it's a pattern.
"It happens over and over again. I don't even get angry or excited about it anymore. I'm not going to comment on it."
Micah Richards was also unimpressed with the potential acquisition of Arnautovic, adding: "What happened to Manchester United, seriously? I'm not going to drive the point home. Arnautovic was a player of quality, but he is 33 years old and plays in Italy.”
After playing in the Premier League for Stoke City and West Ham, Arnautovic spent two years in China with the port of Shanghai before moving to Bologna – for whom he scored 14 Serie A goals last season – in 2021 .
In his post-match press conference, Ten Hag refused to mention Arnautovic by name, lamenting only the unavailability of his team's forwards, with Ronaldo limited to one substitute appearance.
"I'm not going into names because I think in this pre-season there are 250 players involved or linked to Manchester United, so that's it," said Ten Hag. "We have two forwards, maybe a third, with Marcus Rashford as well.
"We considered him a striker, but he had a very good pre-season on the left side and today he had two very good chances coming from the left side.
"So I think it was the right decision to do that, the typical number nine was not available today."
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