Former Netherlands and AC Milan striker Marco van Basten has claimed that Manchester United's pre-season plans spread across the globe are counter-productive to their entire squad.
The Red Devils, who are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table on the back of two successive defeats, traveled to Thailand, Australia and Norway for their pre-season friendlies. The club registered three wins out of six during their preparations last month.
Manchester United opened the 2022-23 Premier League season with a 2-1 loss against Brighton Hove & Albion earlier this month. Erik ten Hag's side failed to bounce back on their trip to London as the club fell to a 4-0 defeat against Brentford on August 13.
Speaking on Ziggo Sport (via Soccer News), Van Basten pointed out that the Premier League giants' elaborate pre-season plans are directly related to the players' apparent lack of fitness. He said:
"What I find strange is that they make a kind of world trip every year in preparation. That is deadly for the group. It is ridiculous, idiotic. They have to stop that. It's just really bad physically. They're doing everything they can to make more money, but it's nonsense."
Former Chelsea player Ruud Gullit also chimed in with his opinion about the Red Devils' current situation. He said:
"I read the newspapers, there are always ten or twelve articles about Manchester United in. Criticism of the club management? Yes, that's Gary Neville but Neville has built a hotel near the stadium. I don't think they are too happy about that, I think that plays a bit too."
"He keeps insisting that the Glazers have to leave and it is their fault but the players just have to play good football, right?"
Manchester United will next face Liverpool at home on August 22.
Manchester United players involved in dressing room argument before Brentford loss
According to the Manchester Evening News, the Manchester United players were involved in a dressing room row in the aftermath of the defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion. The report, however, failed to identify the players involved in the incident.
The cliques that proved to be the downfall of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick last season reportedly still exist within the squad. Furthermore, the presence of certain players at the club against their will is said to be affecting morale in the dressing room.
zebcdilm
0
did we even no how many players have been brought or sold in this team or how many coaches and staff have been sacked??? yet things are not changing definately only prayer can help United the team is coursed
yucacilu
0
it time for the glazer family Just sell the club...make someone Who love the club over profit shares...when you love football and the club you need spend money to get big profit...the glazer family want to spend small and get big profit...it dont work in football...please glazer family go to the Kentucky yearling sales and purchase one for $60,000 and if luck on your side the colt might win the triple crown...buying players in football it not luck..
Zokceouz
1
the whole team apart from the newcomers should be sold off
OneLove⚽️
2
MU need a new captain and a world class defensive midfielder#Maguire ain't that leader and i'm not talking about him playing bad or making mistakes. MU have talent but are in need of a great DM or 2 that's it#their defensive problems ain't only because of the CB's but mostly because of their lack of a great DM who helps them. Remember when Real Madrid sold Makelele to Chelsea#Pep left Fernandinho and Rodri on the bench in CL final. Eric ten Hag may not have gotten all the players that he wanted but still he's at fault losing the 1st and being humilliated in the 2nd playing no DM#Fred nor Ericksen ain't DM's but has McTominay#Garner and even Martinez so no excuses. Losing a game isn't a crime but letting Brentford run over you in the 1st half is a shame for a big team luke MU.
BonYah14
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GGMU we are surely not Happy on how we are too slow on Market this Summer..... you go see man City buy player without even hear say they are pursuing him no one want come theater of Dream now I Pray for Good because we have seen a lot
RKachacha
3
Sir Ferguson sits on the ManU board. Surely the old man can stand up to this nonsense..... Unless he is one of those creating the nonsense!!
j-blåck
1
They are buying players for business not for development
DavidFoley
0
The players have thrown in the towel. They know they are not good enough and so the board and the owners will have to go because they are not fit to run the club