Erik ten Hag told he "does not get a free pass" as four Man Utd transfers questioned

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has been told to expect scrutiny from Sir Jim Ratcliffe over his transfer dealings.

Liverpool legend Graeme Souness says that Ten Hag doesn't deserve a "free pass" after signing three of his former Ajax players and another star from the Eredivisie for a eye-popping total sum of £208million. Lisandro Martinez, Antony, Andre Onana and Tyrell Malacia were all handpicked signings by the Dutchman, who recently guided United to their worst start to a season in 34 years.

Despite Martinez, Antony and Malacia missing much of the campaign so far, Souness has warned Ten Hag that once INEOS founder and chief executive Ratcliffe becomes a minority investor in the club - after his £1.4billion deal to purchase 25 percent of United is complete - and takes control of sporting matters, his recruitment will come under the microscope.

"I read in this newspaper a couple of days ago that Erik ten Hag has welcomed the arrival of Ratcliffe because he is frustrated with recruitment," the former Liverpool captain and manager wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

"I'm sorry, but the manager doesn't get a free pass. His three former Ajax players he has signed at a cost of £170m - Antony, Lisandro Martinez and Andre Onana - were his picks, and I'm sure Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord would also have been. I don't think any them have massively improved the team, so Ten Hag cannot absolve himself from recruitment issues."

It was reported earlier this week that in a meeting with United executives in March, Ratcliffe was critical of United's decision to pay up to £70million for Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro, who's now 31 and showing signs of being past his best. The French club which INEOS also own, Nice, have revamped