Steven Gerrard names seven Manchester United players he believes aren’t up to par
Steven Gerrard has slammed the quality of the Manchester United squad -Credit:The Overlap
Steven Gerrard has called out seven Manchester United players who simply aren’t good enough in a scathing evaluation of the squad.
United sit 16th in the Premier League after their 3-0 hammering by AFC Bournemouth on Sunday. They have managed just seven points from their opening eight fixtures, marking United’s worst start to a league campaign since 1986/87.
Their abysmal form, which has delivered only two victories in 12 matches across all competitions this season, could signal the end for manager Michael Carrick. The former midfielder survived emergency discussions on Monday, but United officials are exploring potential successors.
-Credit:Alex Livesey, Getty Images
While Carrick is expected to be the one who pays the price, he has been severely undermined by his players. United invested £155 million ($206.3 million) in the summer transfer window, but their roster has already been exposed, and Gerrard highlighted six players for particular criticism.
"If you go through the squad, the back four. Harry Maguire’s had a really good career, Luke Shaw, I played with Luke (with England), he was top in his day," Gerrard said on The Overlap Daily, via The Mirror. "They’re not Manchester United players anymore. They should have been moved on quicker.
"Lisandro Martínez last year, only interested in the World Cup. He’s come back, he’s seen that the players haven’t signed, the four or five that he wants…in his world.
"Selfishly comes out and speaks, then gets injured, goes off at half-time with a kick [against Leeds United], and he’s fit the next game. That stinks to me."
Turning his attention to the summer arrivals, Gerrard added: "You look at the midfield, they signed a player from Chelsea, £50 million ($67.1 million), [Andrey] Santos, not a Manchester United player. Then it goes to recruitment higher up.
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"Why are you signing players that are not good enough to play for Manchester United? These [are] the only players you can attract now, but he’s not a Manchester United player. [Carlos] Baleba, £70 million ($95 million). He’s got potential. He’s not ready to help Manchester United compete at the top of the league now.
"You look on the sides of the pitch. When I played against United, you had [Ryan] Giggs, [David] Beckham, world class players. I look at the sides of the pitch. Young Amad [Diallo]. Hot and cold. When he’s good, he’s good. But hasn’t shown nothing this season."
Gerrard then added: "Nothing coming from the left side, nothing at all. You look at the forwards, [Bryan] Mbeumo, good player. Probably one of the shining lights of this season.
"[Matheus] Cunha’s dropped. So what’s he doing? Is he not training right? Is he one of the toxic players? They’ve just signed him recently. Why is a Brazil international not starting? So, he’s not doing something right. He’s part of the problem as well. [Benjamin] Šeško injured at the moment. Not good enough. They’ve just got problems all over the place."
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United’s only two victories of the campaign have come against newly promoted Ipswich Town and UEFA Champions League newcomers Sabah. Their heavy defeats to Como and Bournemouth last week exposed their vulnerabilities and could result in Carrick’s dismissal.
Former Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe, ex-Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann and former Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte are all on the club’s shortlist, while there is also appreciation for Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and Brighton and Hove Albion’s Fabian Hürzeler, although neither are believed to be interested in changing positions.
Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.