Jamie Carragher has said Manchester United are trapped in a 'vicious circle' of spending big money on underperforming players they then struggle to sell, and has urged the club's hierarchy to end the cycle.
The former Liverpool defender, speaking on Sky Sports, pointed out that despite having one of the Premier League's biggest wage bills, United have not consistently qualified for the Champions League in over a decade.
Heavy summer spending
United spent more than £150million on transfer fees alone during the summer window, while last season's Champions League qualification also increased the wages of several existing squad members.
Carragher believes the high salaries United pay make it harder to sell players, leaving the club unable to continue spending their way out of difficulties.
'Vicious circle' warning
He said: "I just think when you're at a club that's spending big money, and those players are continuing to fail, you're not getting in the Champions League as well, you've got one of the biggest wages; eventually you can be the bigger spenders of the season, but you're not being successful."
He added: "The money will always be there because they're one of the biggest football clubs in the world, but it can't just be a tap that never gets turned off - it just can't."
Carragher also said: "And then you're talking about net spend; well, you don't get players out. It's difficult to get players out when you continue failing at the club. Then they're on big wages, and you can't move them on - no one will take them. It's a vicious circle that they're in. Eventually, it gets to a stage where you can't be the biggest spenders and for me, that was this summer."
Difficult start to the season
United have made a troubled start to the campaign, with just one victory so far, increasing pressure on manager Michael Carrick to turn results around.
The club's problems have raised doubts about its direction, with Lisandro Martinez criticising Jason Wilcox this week, saying he had 'expected more' investment in the squad over the summer and appearing to blame the hierarchy for the poor start.
United stopped the rot by drawing 1-1 with Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.
