Gary Neville has named Antony and Angel Di Maria as Manchester United's worst signings since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. The former defender's criticism comes as the club sits 12th in the Premier League with just five points from their opening five matches, having scored only four goals while conceding nine. Their next challenge is a key home fixture against Tottenham on 10 October, a match that could be key for their early-season form.
Neville singled out Antony as the most disappointing acquisition of the post-Ferguson era. The Brazilian winger arrived from Ajax in August 2022 for a fee of £85 million, a deal the pundit suggested was a panic buy. Antony managed eight goals and three assists in his first season before being loaned to Real Betis midway through the 2024-25 campaign, later making the move permanent for £21 million. Neville argued that such a significant financial loss on a player epitomises the club's flawed recruitment strategy over the past decade, a period fans can review in detail on the club's stats page.
Di Maria's brief stay
Angel Di Maria's time at Old Trafford was similarly underwhelming. During his 32 appearances for United, the Argentine contributed four goals and eleven assists, a return that failed to justify the massive investment. Neville acknowledged his initial excitement about Di Maria's signing but ultimately labelled it a bad one, citing a lack of adaptation and commitment.
He contrasted these expensive failures with the success of Bruno Fernandes, whom he identified as an outstanding exception whose value has increased since his arrival. Neville also rejected the inclusion of Marouane Fellaini in the conversation, noting the Belgian gave everything and did not command the same level of expenditure. The pundit's analysis shows how poor signings have contributed to the team's current standings position, far from the Champions League places.
The timing of this assessment is sharp given United's current struggles. Erik ten Hag's side have won only once in the league this season, with their recent form reading two draws, two losses, and a win. Neville did offer a note of optimism, describing the club's 2025 recruitment cycle as the first that has appeared to work since Ferguson's departure, praising the immediate impact of players like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. He suggested that if this new direction continues, the club can begin to climb the table, starting with a positive result in their upcoming fixtures.
The report in full is at Sports Mole
