Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has criticised the club’s summer transfer business, claiming they could have saved at least £73 million by prioritising smarter signings.
United’s problems deepened after their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, a result that left them 14th in the Premier League and raised further questions about their recruitment strategy.
United’s Lack of Goals Still an Issue
Last season, only four teams scored fewer goals than United, with Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee managing just seven league strikes combined. In response, the Red Devils spent nearly £200 million on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko, while Højlund was sent on loan to Napoli.
Schmeichel, however, believes the money wasn’t spent in the right areas—particularly questioning the decision to bring in Sesko.
Schmeichel Questions Transfer Priorities
Speaking on Premier League Productions, the former goalkeeper explained his concerns over United’s summer signings.
“In terms of players being brought in, Cunha for instance, I think in the three games he’s played - he came out very early in the game against Burnley - yes, I’ve seen things that can happen in the future, something we can build on.
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A first @PremierLeague start for Benjamin today!
“Bryan Mbeumo, the same thing, yes, it’s really good. That’s kind of progress in terms of how the team is going to be developed. At the moment I don’t see it. The issue is, it was so clear all of last season, has not been addressed.
“Yes, we didn’t score enough goals so they bought players in who can score goals but they spent the money on the third one - it’s nothing personal against Sesko - but we didn’t need the third striker, we needed a centre midfield player who can control that bit of the pitch, and we needed a goalkeeper.
“Those were the issues we were struggling with last season and it’s not been addressed.”
Calls for Midfield and Goalkeeper Reinforcements
Schmeichel’s comments underline a frustration shared by many United fans—that the club has overlooked critical areas of weakness. With the defence and midfield still lacking stability, and uncertainty around the goalkeeper position, questions remain about the long-term planning behind United’s recruitment.
