Manchester United increasing scrutiny of club's transfer hit rate

Manchester United recruitment staff are on tenterhooks amid greater scrutiny of the club's hit rate in the transfer market.

Well-placed sources say the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as co-chairman in February has created a stricter recruitment operation at the club.

One scout said staff are working in fear as they are under the impression that jobs could be on the line if they make a mistake over a signing.

United have invested £625.43million on signings during manager Erik ten Hag's reign and a number of the club's summer signings have already come in for criticism after three defeats in United's opening six Premier League games.

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Striker Joshua Zirkzee has scored one goal in eight appearances and centre back Matthijs de Ligt's errant positioning in the 3-0 home drubbing by Tottenham on Sunday was highlighted by Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football. Manuel Ugarte endured a chastening full Premier League debut against Spurs.

Inaugural sporting director Dan Ashworth has used the closure of the transfer window to take a deep dive into the inner workings at United, having started on July 1. Ashworth's priority during his first two months was United's window activity but he has noticed shortcomings in certain areas.

Eleven of the 22 players United have signed under Ten Hag were either born or played in his homeland of the Netherlands. Six of Ten Hag's recruits lined up against Tottenham and the other five starters - Diogo Dalot, Kobbie Mainoo, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho - have all signed new contracts on the Dutchman's watch.

De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui both played for Ten Hag at Ajax. "It