Manchester United legend Gary Neville has branded his former club's new signings Casemiro and Antony 'panic buys'.
The Red Devils spent almost £150million on the two Brazilians, with their summer spend well in excess of £200million as the Glazer family once again looked to try and turn the club's fortunes around after a disastrous last few years.
Speaking on The Overlap via Manchester Evening News, the former full-back criticised the owners, accusing them of spending more than they intended 'to try and appease the fans'.
'Manchester United wanted to spend about £130m-£140m, they ended up spending £230m,' Neville said.
'Obviously we've seen it before with the Glazer family – loads of trouble, protests building, invest the money to try and appease the fans and basically panic-buy.'
United started the season in poor form under new manager Erik ten Hag but bounced back to win their next four league games and move from the bottom of the Premier League table up to fifth.
They'll have their eye on a return to the Champions League, but Neville claimed the club had to change their summer spending strategy.
'The Casemiro and Antony bids came in two days before the Liverpool game, which was obviously a moment where they just needed to get players in.
'It wasn't the strategy at the start of the summer to spend the money they've spent.'
United were due to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend but the game has been postponed following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.