RYAN GIGGS HAS criticised Manchester United’s recruitment policy after they passed up on the chance to sign Kylian Mbappe and Gabriel Jesus despite his recommendation.
The attackers are two of the highest-rated young players in Europe at present as 19-year-old Mbappe is flourishing since his summer switch to Paris Saint-Germain from Monaco in a deal that will cost around €180 million, while Gabriel Jesus, 20, has scored 17 goals in 36 appearances for Manchester City since joining from Palmeiras for around €33m.
Former United star and assistant manager Giggs says he and the club’s scouts had been aware of both attackers before they moved to their current sides, but the Old Trafford outfit failed to act – another example of their poor strategy in the transfer market in the ex-winger’s eyes.
“I watched Gabriel Jesus play three years ago. I watched Mbappe for a year,” he told The Times.
“I was watching them with the scout and it was a no-brainer. It was just like, ‘Get them’. It would have been £5 million or something — get them, loan them back — and that’s where the recruitment could have been better.”
Not only have the Red Devils neglected to sign such bright prospects, Giggs feels they have sold the wrong players at times, too, admitting he disagreed with then coach Louis van Gaal’s decisions.
“There have been a lot who have come through that haven’t been United players and also players who were United players and shouldn’t have left. I’m talking about Rafael [Da Silva], [Danny] Welbeck, Jonny Evans — players who are United through and through.
“It was hard because Louis had his own ideas and you had to respect that, but, yes, we had a few arguments about a couple of them. He understood [my position] because I had played with those lads, but they just weren’t for him.
“Some of them, like Welbeck, wanted to play more regularly, and Jonny had a few injuries at the time, so you could understand it, but — and it’s not saying it in hindsight — recruitment hasn’t been great either.”
Since then, United’s policy has arguably improved, as the likes of Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic have come in over the last two years to boost the squad.
Jose Mourinho’s side currently sit second in the Premier League, but are 11 points behind Manchester City.
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Nothing ever said for Sean o brien only playing the last game, where he paved the way for the backs to play…. Huge tackle count (over 15) and the amount of rucks he hit! The limelight was taken from him.
Jaysus, enough already about the Lions. Seriously.
Don’t think anybody but Sky are really bothered
Agree it’s a joke on this site . Are the score sponsored by HSBC or something ? Compare this saturation to coverage of dub hurlers or dan Martin yesterday , 1 of those stories to every 4 lions stories . Ye will lose readers lads
Maybe just maybe the journal checks their traffic to see what’s popular with their clients.
The Leinster hurling final was played in a half empty stadium.
There was never a moment when the lions would lose to that Australian team over the series!
Yep great to win series after so many failed attempts! But,we all know that was one worse Aussie teams ever under Deans!
This is not negative nelly talk,I guarantee lions will get creamed by all-blacks in next series,the all blacks will be on a fu*king mission to beat lions!!
I cannot understand the hype over the lions. It is a sky sports hyped event. The best of four European teams with a combined population of 70 million barely beat one country with a population of 23 million. Rugby union is the fourth most popular sport in Australia. It is first most popular in wales, second in Scotland and England, fourth in Ireland and yet our combined efforts barely got us across the line. BBC gave gatland manager if the year, for what exactly? My granny would have led the lions to a series win.
Even worse is the outcry of our media when BOD was dropped. Seriously, BOD who was the greatest player of our time is well past his best and played extremely poor in the second test. You don’t pick players on reputation and past events, Let’s just get over it.
Someone above made a comment on Leinster hurling final being played in a half empty stadium. We can all cherry pick games to suit an argument. What does the AIL average for games? Cue, most Munster and Leinster fans googling AIL to see what it stands for. The last 5 all Ireland hurling finals produced levels of commitment and skills you won’t see on a rugby pitch in a million years.
In fairness, Sextons kick over the top and chase down was the moment when the Lions took the initiative in the 3rd test.