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Published 19:40 9 Aug 2016 BST
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Gerard Houllier has offered perhaps the most stinging attack on The Red Devils as he has gone so far as to question United's status as a club.
“It’s no longer a club. It’s a factory,” Houllier in an interview with L’Equipe.
"He's not going to have €100m games every week... therefore you have to know his character," he added. "Then it depends on the club and the environment. The English want a star.
"Manchester United generate impressive income. €120m over five years? That's an instalment of €25m per season -- it's reasonable when you have a budget of over €500m. Because Man U carry out purchases or sales every transfer window of around €50m."
The former Liverpool manager also believes that the huge fee in question could have a negative impact on the midfielder as never has there been more pressure been on a player to justify a pricetag.
Houllier added: "It could become a problem depending on the personality of the player, who shouldn't put himself under pressure in terms of that. That's why the manager's discourse is very important."
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