Manchester United’s Spanish-speaking stars feel preferential treatment is being given to the club’s English players – leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a problem maintaining dressing-room harmony in the closing weeks of the season.
Names like David de Gea, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata and their representatives believe they are being treated differently to other United players as the club attempt to return to the “home-based” strategy that made them successful under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Ashley Young have all signed new contracts at Old Trafford this season but there has been no similar agreement with the Spaniards.
Herrera is close to joining PSG having failed to reach terms with United amidst briefings the midfielder was asking for too much money.
Herrera is contention to face Everton Sunday after returning from an injury that Solskjaer questioned might be linked to his future.
De Gea, considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world despite his blunder against Barcelona last week, will currently enter the final 12 months of his United deal at the end of the season despite protracted negotiations.
Mata is also due to leave and is yet to renew his stay and In addition to the “three amigos”, Chilean international Alexis Sanchez -a close friend of Herrera - has disquieted United staff with the odd temper tantrum during a very frustrating season for the former Arsenal player.
Though Mata and Herrera in particular are popular members of the squad, the Spanish speakers have formed their own little clique at United.
And in general, the club have failed to assimilate their Latin players over the long term compared to Manchester City for whom David Silva and Sergio Aguero have won trophies for a period lasting several years.
United want to promote academy and British players as part of the club’s DNA having had their fingers burnt in the transfer market under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
But as they attempt to strike the right balance, there is a risk it could put off overseas targets in the future.
The aggrieved feelings of the Spaniards has left Paul Pogba in a difficult position with a foot in each camp.
French World Cup winner Pogba grew up as a trainee in Manchester alongside players like Jesse Lingard but has also established close friendships with the overseas contingent.
Pogba is the number one target of Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane but he’s someone United desperately don’t want to lose.
godykemanutd
96
I see no truth in this article but as the case may be, if you check what the so called Latin players are earning and what the so called English people earn, you will also have to agree that Manchester United have been fair to them all. Highest paid goalkeeper in the world is De Gea at 200k per week, Sanchez is on 350k+ per week, Mata is on 150k but Herrera have been offered 170k and he is demanding 200k. and i see no reason why United should pay him 200k. Mata who is on 150M have done his best for the club and now have little or nothing to contribute to the team anymore, let me not go to Sanchez because he is yet to contribute anything. Herrera have been a good servant, taking him from 75k to 170 is more than enough. so i see why no reason for this article except for the fact the want to sell their article. thank you.
Yobekntz
61
The real question is How do you offer Jones and Smalling bumper pay rises and extend their stay and rumours have it that Bailly might be sold? What has Rashford done to deserve 200k a week? What has Young done to deserve a year extension? There is subtle prejudice in the club and a glaring preferential treatments towards English players in the club and in most cases, underperforming bang-average players Rashford and Lingard can be piss poor on form for months and Martial will be the one who will be attacked the most If this continues and in this transfer window he doesn't drastic actions, Man Utd will be left behind...it's really sad to see, but it's the unfortunate truth and reality
Pharaohes
58
For one i don't believe this drivel. Secundo let's say it was true, Mata despite how nice he is as a Human being, is nowhere near the level required at Old Trafford. Anders is a very good squad player who wears his heart on his sleeves but the real quality to drive this team forward is missing. De Gea has been really poor lately, having said that he has been a very good servant for the club. No more than 250k. Finally players from a same country will always have their little clique nothing there, it happen at every club.
noadinpuy
39
I still don't understand why people are blaming David De gea. If defenders are not supporting you by blocking shots then you should be ready to concede goals after goals imagine Everton's second goal, matic had the chance to block the shot but where is the desire play for this team if you behave like that. just relax he doesn't care to move closer to sigurdson people just imagine this type of players you have in your team. Even the third and fourth . defenders are supposed to take responsibility for any shot on target from that area but our players are not doing that