Former Premier League manager Neil Warnock believes Manchester United should have looked to sign Ezri Konsa before his £55million move to Arsenal.
Konsa has made a strong start to his Arsenal career following a big-money transfer from Aston Villa over the summer. The 29-year-old came straight into Mikel Arteta's team because of William Saliba's injury lay-off and has helped Arsenal win eight of their first nine Premier League matches this season.
United's Defensive Struggles
In contrast, United have had a difficult start to the season, without a league victory since a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town in late August. That run has put United's recruitment strategy under scrutiny, particularly their failure to address a lack of defensive depth in the summer transfer window.
Warnock cited Konsa's move to Arsenal as a deal United should have pursued instead of their focus on signing midfielders.
'They spend money on forwards, they spend money on midfield players like you've never seen and yet they still haven't got a defence,' Warnock told The Mirror.
'I don't understand how a top club like that can't buy defenders – and they've never had any full backs that can defend either.'
Recruitment Concerns
Warnock added: 'They could have bought Konsa this year. Why didn't they spend money like that? They'd rather spent £100million on a midfielder – even though the defenders can't defend!'
He continued: 'If nothing changes, they are going to struggle. I'm not bothered who comes in. They will struggle.'
'You look at Brighton and Bournemouth and clubs like that, and you think that's a good [recruitment strategy]… But when you look at Man United, if the recruitment can't see that what I've seen for the last five years, there's something wrong somewhere.'
Rio Ferdinand has echoed Warnock's views, saying he would have liked Konsa to move to Old Trafford this summer.
'He's a top, top player and another one I thought Manchester United should have got because he's a top player,' Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
'He's giving Mikel Arteta some big decisions to make and big headaches because he's slipped in seamlessly and put in some big performances. What a signing he's been for Arsenal.'
