Manchester United has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism from former Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway. Holloway labeled the current squad as ‘wrong’uns’, expressing his disappointment with their attitude and lack of commitment. The Red Devils recently secured a hard-fought victory against Newport to advance to the FA Cup fifth round.
Erik ten Hag fielded a strong lineup against Newport, but the team faced a scare as they let slip a 2-0 lead before eventually winning 4-2. This lackluster performance is not an isolated incident for United, as they have struggled to impress throughout the season. Currently sitting in eighth place in the Premier League and out of European competitions, their inconsistencies have become a recurring theme.
Holloway attributes these issues to the recruitment process, suggesting that United has signed players who lack the necessary attitude to represent the club. He goes on to highlight the absence of encouragement among the players and criticizes their tendency to shrug their shoulders or lift their arms in frustration when things don’t go their way. Holloway firmly believes that such behavior is disrespectful to the fans and would not have been tolerated under the leadership of Sir Alex Ferguson.
According to Holloway, Ferguson instilled a sense of pride and selflessness in the players, emphasizing that the club is bigger than any individual. He questions what Ferguson would think of the current crop of players and asserts that they do not wear the United shirt with the pride it deserves. Holloway describes the situation at United as a mess, pointing out that although they won against Newport, over-celebrating goals against lower league opposition is uncalled for.
The former manager attributes these problems to a long-standing issue with recruitment. He contrasts Ferguson’s approach, where he rarely signed players with poor attitudes and dealt with any issues that arose, with the current situation where the dressing room is filled with individuals lacking the right mindset. Holloway raises concerns about the direction of the club and questions the decision to appoint David Moyes in 2013, suggesting that Ferguson’s preferred successor did not receive enough time to make a lasting impact.
In Holloway’s eyes, United has accumulated a group of players with questionable characters, and he believes that Bruno Fernandes, who is considered one of their key players, should be leading the team during tough times but fails to do so. The overall sentiment conveyed by Holloway is one of disappointment and frustration with the current state of affairs at Manchester United.
While these criticisms may be harsh, they shed light on the challenges facing the club. Manchester United must address their recruitment strategy and ensure that they sign players who possess the right attitude and commitment to the team. The current squad must also take responsibility for their performances and show a willingness to improve and work together. Only then can United regain their former glory and live up to the expectations associated with their prestigious history.