"Are they any better off than when David [Moyes] was there? And they've spent about £400m since then."
Friday 10 May 2019 12:59, UK
Neil Warnock says Manchester United have wasted a lot of money in recent years, and adds he is "not sure how much thought" has gone into some of their signings.
United won the Premier League in Sir Alex Ferguson's last season in charge in 2013, but since his departure they have struggled, and this season cannot finish any higher than fifth place.
Warnock, speaking ahead of Cardiff's trip to Old Trafford in the final game of the season, says while Manchester United will catch up with current leaders Manchester City and Liverpool in the future, it will not happen any time soon.
Asked whether he has any managerial advice for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Warnock said: "He's not like me with the fact that he has got absolute top-quality players and he can buy top-quality players. So it's a little bit different.
"He will be judged on the signings he makes and how much money they spend, because they have wasted a lot of money.
"I was listening to David Moyes last week at some stage... are they any better off than when David was there? And they've spent about £400m since then.
"You've got to have a structure where you try and sign the best players that can be available for your job to actually move the club forward. It does seem that over the past few years, I'm not sure how much thought has gone into some of the signings.
"It might take - people say two or three windows - I think it could be ten years.
"I can't see them catching the two top clubs up for another four or five years. But I think they will."
Sky Sports News understands United are close to agreeing a £15m deal to sign Swansea City winger Daniel James, a move Warnock says indicates the club are going back to what made them successful in the past.
"I think they're going to go back to the Man Utd values now, which is signing young players," said the 70-year-old.
"That type of player [James] I think Man Utd want now. They've got nothing to lose now, I think they've to generate that enthusiasm, verve, that you get with young players."
Warnock, who has one year left on his current deal, wants assurances from the Cardiff hierarchy over their own player investment this summer before committing himself to the club.
Owner Vincent Tan said this week he wants Warnock to stay and mount a promotion challenge next season.
Warnock, who has a meeting with Cardiff chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken Choo on Monday, says he wants a chance to give his thoughts.
"I'm aware what Vincent said. But I've got my own idea what I want to say to them and try to help the club forward.
"We will need two or three good signings to get us there and give us a shout because that's what we want to do.
"I think we've arrived as a football club this year. We're a big club - and we've got to think big now."
