Rooney Calls Pogba One of Man Utd’s Strangest Signings

Manchester United signings have long been a subject of intense scrutiny, and Wayne Rooney has now ignited fresh debate by placing Paul Pogba among the club’s “three strangest signings” prior to the arrival of INEOS. As a United legend, Rooney’s candid remarks underline the frustration many fans felt during the turbulent transfer years before Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS took a stake in the club.

Manchester United Signings Under Fire: Rooney’s Candid Assessment

Manchester United signings, especially under former executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, were marked by high-profile arrivals that often failed to meet lofty expectations. Rooney, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, didn’t mince words in his critique: “The recruitment at Manchester United before last summer was horrendous. They were just bringing big names in – you look at Lukaku, Zlatan, Pogba – they’re good players, but they were just bringing names in and spending enormous amounts of money. It’s going to take a bit of time to get over those mistakes.”

His comments are a searing reflection of Woodward’s tenure, which spanned from 2012 to 2021. Despite vast financial outlays—such as the then-world-record £89 million move to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus, Romelu Lukaku’s £75 million arrival from Everton, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brief stay—United’s sporting vision during this period often appeared muddled. For many, the era came to symbolize a reliance on star power over cohesive team-building.

INEOS Brings a Strategic Shift to Manchester United Signings

The landscape of Manchester United signings began to change with INEOS’s partial takeover in late 2023. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team introduced a more measured approach, prioritizing footballing fit over big names. Recent additions like Bryan Mbuemo, Matheus Cunha, and Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens have already made a clear impact, solidifying United’s position in the top half of the Premier League table.

Head coach Ruben Amorim has benefited from this renewed focus. The team has found a measure of stability, climbing to seventh place and remaining unbeaten in their last five outings. Rooney acknowledges these improvements, stating, “You can even say that in the manager. They’re gradually getting better, there’s definitely been some improvement. It’s been really tough for Ruben Amorim and I’ve been critical of him. We are seeing them improve though and players are getting to know each other a bit better.”

From Turbulence to Progress: The Recent United Revival

After a shaky start to the 2025–26 campaign, United’s recent run included three straight Premier League wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton. This resurgence has rekindled hopes of Champions League qualification. Rooney reflects the optimism, remarking, “There’s some promising signs and although they’re not going to win the league, they could possibly sneak into the top four.”

Despite the upturn, challenges remain. Back-to-back 2-2 draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham in November exposed lingering defensive vulnerabilities. Manager Ruben Amorim, speaking to TNT Sports after the Tottenham match, acknowledged both the missed opportunity and the team’s growth: “We need to look at ourselves, we were not pressing with the same intensity… We have so much to grow as a team, because today was our day to win this game.”

Amorim’s Vision: Growth and Grit for United’s Future

Amorim’s approach underlines the necessity for patience and collective improvement. “This is the tip of the iceberg, we are at the beginning of becoming a strong team, so we have a lot to do,” he said. The next test awaits after the international break, with a crucial clash against Everton on November 24—a fixture that could further define United’s trajectory this season.

Opinion: Learning from Past Manchester United Signings

Manchester United signings prior to the INEOS era often seemed driven by marketing appeal rather than football logic, as highlighted by Rooney’s criticisms. The shift toward recruiting players who fit a defined system is already reaping rewards, both in results and team morale. If the Red Devils can maintain this strategic focus, the mistakes of the past may finally give way to a sustainable, long-term revival.

Stay tuned for more news and developments as Manchester United continues to evolve under its new leadership.