Six players holding Man Utd back according to Souness, including ‘gamble’ Hojlund and ‘Steady Eddie’

SIX players are holding Manchester United back, according to Graeme Souness.

The Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the new season on and off the pitch.

There are big expectations for Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund this seasonCredit: Getty

Andre Onana replaced David De Gea at Old TraffordCredit: Getty

Erik ten Hag’s side have looked very unconvincing so far with defeats away at Arsenal and Tottenham – and narrow victories over Wolves and Nottingham Forest.

There have also been the situations with Mason Greenwood, Jadon Sancho and now Antony.

And now Souness has piled in on the Old Trafford club’s big spending – and identified his key culprits.

That included new expensive recruits Rasmus Hojlund and Andre Onana who cost a combined £119million this summer.

Hojlund made his debut at Arsenal last week – but is still managing a back stress fracture – while Onana was lucky to avoid giving a penalty away on his debut.

Souness said: “I don’t think Manchester United are going to be any better than they were last season.

“They’ve spent £72m on a young centre-forward in Rasmus Hojlund, who has not got a great goalscoring record.

“He played 34 games for Atalanta and only hit the back of the net ten times. Now he’s come to a league where it’s really tough to get goals.

“I might be wrong but that’s one hell of a gamble for somebody that doesn’t have a proven track record.

“I think Onana will make them better at playing out from the back but will he do the most important thing in keeping the ball out the back of the net? I’m not sure about that one.”

Souness also piled in on attackers Sancho, Antony and Anthony Martial – while Casemiro did not escape the wrath of the fiery Scot.

Sancho has been an outcast following his public spat with Ten Hag, Antony struggled for form before his delayed return to training amid abuse allegations and Martial has not hit double figures for goals in a season since 2019-20.

Casemiro, meanwhile, is starting to be exposed for his lack of movement in the middle of the park.

Liverpool icon and former Sky Sports pundit Souness told the Express: “I wrote an article five years ago stating it was the last chance saloon for Anthony Martial. Yet he’s still starting matches as their main focal point in attack.

“He isn’t a Manchester United player. He will get you excited and then let you down.

“I still don’t think Antony or Jadon Sancho are long-term solutions for United if they want to win the Premier League and Champions League. They’re still relying on Marcus Rashford.

“I’ve been heavily criticised for saying this but in my view Casemiro is a Steady Eddie. He’s a good player but not one you want to pay money to go and watch.”