Man Utd chief Ed Woodward branded

“That’s why this team hasn’t really moved forward in the last seven years because the squad hasn’t been built properly, cleverly, with a proper direction, with a name, with a target.”

United were heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho in the summer but refused to pay the £108million asking price.

Laurens says blame must lie at Woodward’s door for failing to sign Sancho and a number of other targets United managers have been keen on signing in recent seasons.

He added: “If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer asks you for Jadon Sancho, there’s a reason to it.