“He’s Just Another Idiotic Signing Like Antony” – Marco van Basten Slams Manchester United Over Transfer Woes Amid Ruben Amorim Controversy
Manchester United’s turbulent season has taken yet another hit—this time not from a defeat or dressing room drama, but from a blistering rebuke delivered by none other than Dutch football icon Marco van Basten. In a scathing assessment of the club’s direction, van Basten did not hold back in his criticism, likening Manchester United’s recent managerial and player decisions to a “collection of idiotic signings,” and singling out the club’s potential appointment of Ruben Amorim as a symptom of deeper chaos engulfing the red side of Manchester.
The former Ballon d’Or winner, known for his brutal honesty, made headlines when he compared the decision to pursue Amorim to the heavily criticized transfer of Brazilian winger Antony. “He’s just another idiotic signing like Antony,” van Basten said on a Dutch broadcast. “He was totally clueless against Newcastle. Overall the club is more likely to be relegated if something is not done to fix the sh*t they are in currently.”
This remark, as harsh as it is, has struck a nerve with fans and pundits alike. While some view it as exaggerated sensationalism, many acknowledge that it mirrors a growing frustration shared by large sections of United’s global fanbase—especially those disillusioned by a decade of inconsistent performances, poor recruitment decisions, and managerial instability.
The controversy swirls around United’s reported interest in Ruben Amorim, the highly rated Sporting CP coach. Amorim has built a reputation in Portugal for his tactical intelligence and ability to develop young talent, but van Basten questioned whether he has the temperament, experience, and strategic clarity required to manage a club the size and volatility of Manchester United. His criticism took particular aim at Amorim’s perceived tactical limitations, referencing United’s recent humbling against Newcastle—a match in which the team appeared rudderless and devoid of ideas.
Van Basten’s words also reignited discussions about United’s transfer policy and long-standing failure to establish a cohesive footballing philosophy. Under the leadership of Erik ten Hag, who was once seen as a beacon of hope, the club has spent vast sums on players like Antony, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Højlund, with little return in terms of consistent elite-level performances. For many, van Basten’s comments underline the glaring disconnect between recruitment strategy and on-field results.
Fans on social media have been divided. Some criticized the Dutchman’s tone, suggesting his comparison between a coach like Amorim and a failed player transfer was unfair. Others, however, believe van Basten is merely articulating what many United supporters feel but are too weary to voice: a deep sense of disillusionment, bordering on despair.
What has made van Basten’s criticism all the more cutting is its timing. Manchester United are in a precarious position—hovering outside European qualification spots, plagued by injuries, uncertainty over Ten Hag’s future, and widespread skepticism over INEOS’s new direction for the club. The once-proud institution that dominated English football under Sir Alex Ferguson now finds itself grasping for stability, identity, and direction.
Whether or not Ruben Amorim eventually takes the helm at Old Trafford, the shadow cast by van Basten’s remarks will linger. They have sparked a vital conversation—one that Manchester United’s hierarchy cannot afford to ignore. With every passing week, the pressure mounts not just on the players or the coaching staff, but on the decision-makers at the very top.
If this club is to return to its former glory, it must first address the chaotic foundations on which recent decisions have been built. Otherwise, as van Basten warned in brutal fashion, relegation may no longer be just a distant joke—it could become a haunting reality.