Danny Murphy blasts Manchester United transfer strategy

Former Liverpool player Danny Murphy has blasted Manchester United's transfer strategy after their failure to land a centre-back during the last two transfer windows, Starsport reports.

He said United should have gone for Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk when he was available in January. He said that the former Southampton defender was the best available target in January, adding that United were the only big team that did not go for him.

He also highlighted United's failure to land Tottenham Hotspur defender Toby Alderweireld, saying: "Alderweireld was the best available central defender on the market this summer and they didn’t buy him either. Why not?"

United were also interested in Leicester City's Harry Maguire but could not complete the deal because the club was unwilling to sell.

United have started their Premier League season, reflecting serious defensive frailties in just their second game against Brighton and Hove Albion over the weekend.

United face Tottenham Hotspur next, a game that will further test United's defensive strength.