Former Manchester United forward Teddy Sheringham thinks his former club are struggling due to mistakes at the top and a general lack of direction.
Sheringham's comments came after the Red Devils suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium over the weekend. United did well to level the scores through Jadon Sancho after Kevin De Bruyne's fifth-minute opener. However, City scored three more times to seal a comprehensive victory.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, Sheringham said (as quoted by the Daily Mail):
"There's just problems at the club, and I think that comes from the leadership in the football club. You look at Manchester City. They are being led by a top man that is devoted to Manchester City being better. The best that they can be."
He added:
"When you look at Manchester United, they had an interim manager (Ole Gunnar Solskjaer), they sacked him. They get another interim manager in; what's going on at this top football club? What is going on?"
Sheringham believes the Red Devils' appointment of Ralf Rangnick on an interim basis has had a negative impact, saying:
"When you're playing for a manager that some people are thinking 'He won't be here at the end of the season, I don't really have to try my hardest. He'll be gone; I'll work for the next manager', there's vibes like that you can see all over the pitch. Players are getting left out. 'Is he injured? Is he not?'"
Manchester United's top-4 hopes hanging in the balance after derby defeat
The loss against Manchester City, combined with Arsenal's 3-2 win at Watford, has put Manchester United's pursuit of a top-four finish in peril. Rangnick's side are now fifth in the Premier League with 47 points from 28 matches.
They are just one point behind the Gunners, who occupy the fourth spot. However, Mikel Arteta's side have three games in hand over the Red Devils. United are also just two points ahead of seventh-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who have played two games fewer.
Having exited both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, Manchester United desperately need to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League. They are still alive in the UEFA Champions League, but are not expected to go all the way.
Tjake
1
I think the first thing we can do for the time being is change the captain..if your leader on the pitch is not performing well or let's say playing very badly, it would be hard for others to perform well
Planty
1
Ole might not have been a title winning manager or is the worse manager in United’s history but everyone here will agree with me Ronaldo’s arrival initiated Ole’s downfall. United played with one objective in mind and that was to get the ball to Ronaldo no matter what. Other strikers were just there to assist Ronaldo score . This might work at times and i am grateful to Ronaldo but at what cost. At the cost our striking power was dependent on a single player. Greenwood who was on a good run at the beginning of the season wasn’t taking shots anymore, Bruno tried to get the ball to Ronaldo before thinking of other strikers. I am not saying Ronaldo is bad or something like that but he was never needed in United although he has saved united in several games but in general he has brought more pain than joy to the squad.
Alam-ManU-7
0
believe me, ole is a good coach,,but sometimes you have to sacrifice your plan for some 37 age player and sacked by team without ur fault.
Obuke
1
Man United needs a total overhaul of the squad and players. The present ones are totally lacking in commitment.
Bikis2
3
"Big game players" are faking injuries before big games, tactical decisions of the coach isn't taken positively by some egoistic players so the coach isn't able to get the best out of this team
Zupcdikst
3
United fan's currently