Man United have ‘wasted’ the season, with ‘£200m down the drain’ – and Erik ten Hag ISN’T the main man to blame, says Jamie Carragher, as he names three questionable big-money buys

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United’s decision to stick with Erik ten Hag this summer will be ‘the catalyst for another wasted campaign’.

In his last column for De Telegraaf, Carragher launched a stinging attack on the United leadership group, particularly co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

He also took aim at CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox, who all joined this summer from Manchester City, Newcastle United and Southampton respectively.

“The new United hierarchy have made a very unimpressive start to their reign at Old Trafford, with one of their worst decisions being the most important a board can make,” Carragher wrote.

‘Above all, you have to make sure you have the right manager. Retaining Ten Hag proves to be the catalyst for another wasted campaign and potentially another £200 million down the drain.”

Carragher was very critical of Ratcliffe, who handed Ten Hag a new contract in July

Erik ten Hag is under scrutiny after Manchester United’s poor start to the season

Ratcliffe was the key decision-maker behind handing Ten Hag a contract extension in the summer after the Dutchman guided the Red Devils to a shock FA Cup victory over Manchester City.

The decision to extend Ten Hag’s stay came as a surprise to many after United finished eighth in the league last season, scoring 58 goals, the most they have conceded in Premier League history.

United also lost fourteen games in the English top flight last season, which meant another unwanted record for Ten Hag.

The club even sounded out potential managers to replace Ten Hag, but chose to hold on rather than make a move.

Given the uncertainty surrounding Ten Hag’s future ahead of his contract extension, some, including Carragher, were left puzzled as to why they approved a major spending spree in the summer.

Ratcliffe gave the green light to United’s £179 million spend in the summer as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Noussair Mazraoui all arrived.

However, Yoro has not played a competitive match after being injured in pre-season, while many of the signings still have to convince.

Carragher thought it was a large sum of money to spend on players, especially because Ten Hag’s job never felt completely safe.

Carragher still needs to be convinced by De Ligt after his difficult start in Manchester

Ten Hag was allowed to bring in several new faces in the summer, but at considerable costs

Carragher wondered what happens when a new boss comes in and isn’t a fan of the new signings

‘And has no one raised the issue that if staying with him backfires, his eventual replacement might not believe that Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Manuel Ugarte are the right choice for them?’ Carragher said.

That scenario could become a reality if United’s poor form continues this season.

Ten Hag’s team is thirteenth in the Premier League and has lost three of six games, with the 3-0 defeat against Tottenham last Sunday being particularly damaging.

United also lost a 2-0 lead against Porto in the Europa League on Thursday, although Harry Maguire rescued a 3-3 draw.

Ahead of the Porto match, Ten Hag revealed that he had held talks with United’s top brass but did not feel like he was under extra pressure going into the match.

“We talk every day and we are on a common journey,” Ten Hag said.

‘We made that agreement in the summer. We made our decisions, we refreshed and reset the staff. I have appointed my assistants. We have also refreshed the team.’

Ten Hag will lead his team to a crucial match against Aston Villa on Sunday.