Former Man Utd boss blames puzzling transfer strategy for fall out of contention

David Moyes believes Manchester United’s scatter-gun transfer policy has cost them top-four status.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is preparing for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford, after the club — still to win the title since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired after the 2012-13 season — finished sixth last term to miss out on Champions League qualification.

Predecessors Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho both got the boot despite spending £620million between them on new players, including a club-record £89m for French midfielder Paul Pogba.

But Moyes, sacked five years ago after just 10 months in charge as Ferguson’s successor, feels they have suffered for not trusting the United way.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, the Scot said: “For a while it would be difficult to know what direction United have gone in.

“Whether they have been signing players for marketing, which they are fantastic at, or whether it has been signing players for on the pitch, I am not quite sure.

“What Manchester United had was great values and class. Manchester United’s values weren’t always to buy the most expensive players but to do it their way which was bringing in the boys from the academy and picking up the best young players.

“Now and again there would be a sprinkling of stardust, like an Eric Cantona, or someone who they signed to make the difference, like Robin van Persie.

“I never thought they were a club who thought it was all about spending the money, but if they needed to, they could.”

This summer’s window has so far seen United signing young players with potential, rather than finished-product big names.

Wales international winger Daniel James, 21, arrived from Championship club Swansea for £15m.

They also splashed £50m on England Under-21 right-back Aaron-Wan Bissaka, also 21, who only made his league debut for Crystal Palace in February last year.