Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational return to Manchester United in the summer ruined now sacked boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's plans for the new season, according to Paul Merson.
The Portugal international returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in a £19.8million deal after the Norwegian - who was axed on Sunday after three years in charge - saw his side finish second behind Manchester City in the Premier League in 2020-21.
But before the 36-year-old deadline-day arrival, United had handed a one-year extension to veteran striker Edinson Cavani and had signed Jadon Sancho in a £73m deal from Borussia Dortmund.