Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson would be "mad" with the current club's board transfer activity, according to William Gallas.
The 84-time capped France international spent 12 years in the Premier League across spells with Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham – with United winning seven titles under Ferguson in that timeframe. However, the Red Devils have not lifted the league crown since.
New United boss Erik ten Hag has had to endure a slow summer transfer window, which has seen just three first-team arrivals to date. Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba were among a glut of first-team exits from the club this summer while Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave United just one year after his return to Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has overseen the arrivals of defenders Tyrell Malacia and Lisandro Martinez from Eredivisie clubs Feyenoord and Ajax respectively, while free agent Christian Eriksen has also joined United after his contract expired at Brentford. However, the first-team squad is six players light on last season and in need of reinforcements.
United's underprepared squad slumped to an opening day defeat against Brighton in the Premier League – kickstarting a chaotic week. The Red Devils pulled out of a move to sign striker Marko Arnautovic from Bologna following a backlash from the club's support. United had submitted a shock bid worth around £7million over the weekend before backing out of a deal.
United have agreed to an initial £15million fee to sign Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot but that deal is stalling over the Frenchman's wage demands. The pursuit of Frenkie de Jon, which has lasted 14 weeks, has not yet proven successful.
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"Sir Alex would have been mad with this board," Gallas explained to Genting Casino. "He would have got players before the end of the transfer market window. All clubs seem to get deals last minute now, and so are Man United right now.
"That's why Man United have spent so much money, they are buying players just to make the fans happy, but the players end up not performing. I'm sure Sir Alex is not happy with the current situation at the club."
United's CEO Richard Arnold and football director John Murtough head up the club's recruitment department, but have so far had a difficult summer – with the constant frustration of the De Jong pursuit in the background.
Benjamin Sesko was a target before he joined RB Leipzig, while Ajax forward Antony, PSV winger Cody Gakpo and Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are others who have been linked in recent weeks.
