Ralf Rangnick criticised Manchester United's board over the decision to seal deal for Amad Diallo, Facundo Pellistri and Donny van de Beek, it's been claimed.
And the German interim boss was also unhappy that the hierarchy hadn't invested in a long-term replacement for veteran star Nemanja Matic - who is leaving on a free transfer this summer.
The Red Devils' midfield has been their weak point this season - arguably their worst campaign since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson nine years ago. United finished sixth in the Premier League, recording their lowest points tally - 58 - since 1989-90. They've also not won a trophy since their Europa League triumph in May 2017.
As first reported by The Athletic, Rangnick was perplexed by the club's failure to invest in their midfield. Diallo, Pellistri and Van de Beek have all signed for United within the last two years but are all currently out on loan after failing to make an impression in Manchester.
The Red Devils invested around £90million in the three players, money that could've been used to sign a top central midfielder. They also failed to sign a central midfielder last summer, instead choosing to invest more than £120m on Cristiano Ronaldo and others.
Rangnick was appointed United's interim manager in November and has now stepped down to allow former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag to take charge. He will continue to work for the club as a consultant, coinciding with his new role as Austria's manager.
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The German has been highly critical of the players recently, safe in the knowledge his time in charge was coming towards an end. "It’s embarrassing, it’s completely disappointing, in a way also humiliating," raged the interim boss after April's 4-0 defeat to Liverpool.
"But we just have to accept that they are, I would say, six years ahead of us... this team needs to be rebuilt now, its clear, a game like the one today showed that in a drastic way that this rebuild is necessary."
United's poor season ended with a 1-0 defeat against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Sunday. "It was a new experience for me, not necessary coming in the middle of the season but knowing that it would be an interim role," said Rangnick at full-time.
"Unfortunately we didn't have any pre-season and unfortunately we couldn't strengthen the squad. These things happen and in hindsight it was a little bit bittersweet or sweet bitter rather because in the first couple of weeks and months did well.
"We collected enough points with an average of 2.1 until the game against Atletico [Madrid] but I think that defeat in the Champions League was in a way like somebody popped the balloon."
Rangnick's successor Ten Hag will be formerly unveiled by United on Monday. He was in attendance for Sunday's defeat to Palace and arrives in Manchester with a decent CV, winning six trophies during his four-and-a-half years at Ajax - including three league titles.
