I don't remember too many people arguing against this signing when we first signed him. Myself and a small section of other fans, argued that we were making a mistake signing him.
Solskjaer came in and was saying he wanted to implement a high pressing style similar to Klopp at Liverpool. And then he goes ahead and signs Wan Bissaka and Maguire who are clearly not suited to playing in that way. I have strong suspicions that it was Phelan who influenced Solskjaer's decision on signing his former player Maguire and AWB. Because just listening to Phelan, it's very clear that he doesn't pay much attention to data analytics or the ever changing landscape in the modern game. He also doesn't believe in improving player weaknesses, and would rather focus on player strength. And he was brought in by Solskjaer to give him advice. So it's not a surprise we ended up signing players using a mindset from the 80s/90s. And one poster above is placing the blame on Murtough, when it was patently clear he was working outside of the fold of the first team, when it comes to recruitment at the time.
Appoint a Head Coach who has a high level understanding of the modern game and the recruitment will reflect that imo. We have not once appointed a coach who understood the modern day demands in the game today. And as a result we've played a reactive brand of football for too long and made other teams/coaches look better than they're.
Liverpool's recruitment is actually a simple process imo. Because the players they're signing in defence/fullback area/DM are all technically good (first touch/ball control) which should be a fundamental requirement. They then seem to focus on the physical/athletic capabilities, which is a advantage for a team that aims to play with a high defensive line without the ball. Defending large spaces in defensive transitions is very important, so your two CBs and most defensive minded midfielder, needs to be ready to defend a large space against the quickest players in the event of a break away from the opposition.
If the aim is to play a imposing brand of football with high pressing capabilities. Then particular focus has to be paid to the CB area, DM and fullbacks. CBs who are strong at defending channels in 1v1 situations, fullbacks who are technically strong with high stamina levels to add intensity. And a DM who is technically good as a fundamental requirement, as well as being quick and athletic to thwart counters against quick attackers in a high defensive line.
What we shouldn't do is target a player because Roy Keane said something or such and such said something and end up paying a premium for a player when all we need is someone who is strong at defending a large space in defensive transition high up the pitch with a good level of technical ability to keep it simple when building from the back. That will then create the platform for the attacking players to play their game in possession, as well as applying a coordinated high press due to the pitch being compressed via a high defensive line and that has the potential to pin the opposition in their own half.
The conditions have then been created for the coach to impose his game on the opposition, with all eventualities covered for in the event of the opposition seeping through the first two lines of the press.