Neymar, Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and Thomas Muller interest from Manchester United 'pushed people over the edge', says Gary Neville

Former captain says Red Devils descended into desperation during the transfer window

Barcelona forward Neymar has been linked with Manchester United (Getty Images)

Manchester United's transfer policy smacks of desperation and the pursuit of unlikely targets has "pushed people over the edge". That's the view of former captain Gary Neville.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, the England assistant manager said the summer signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian and Anthony Martial over the summer had been impressive. However, public pursuits of high-profile targets that failed to come off had not reflected well on the club.

United made little secret of their desire to sign Sergio Ramos up until the defender agreed a new deal with Real Madrid. It was also understood that United were keen to sign Neymar (pictured above), Gareth Bale and Thomas Muller.

"The nonsense around Neymar, Ramos, Bale and Muller has pushed people over the edge into thinking: there is a lack of decorum here. United have always been proud of their conduct in the transfer market but that polished feeling has gone," wrote Neville.

He added: "The summer descended into what seemed like desperation ... around Ramos and Muller and Neymar and Bale. Whilst my thoughts have always been that the head coach should always have the last say on transfers it would seem to me to be a case where (executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward needs to put a bridge between himself and the coach to bring greater order to transfers."

Wayne Rooney at a press conference alongside Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

Neville also expressed concern at those who have been allowed to leave Old Trafford since Louis van Gaal took charge of the club.

"I am still saddened that Danny Welbeck left. I am saddened that Adnan Januzaj has been allowed to leave on loan to Borussia Dortmund. It was an early red flag to me when Welbeck was sold for £16m, as I said at the time. Januzaj went from playing four or five games on the bounce to going out on loan in Europe."