Arsene Wenger gave a damning assessment of Manchester United after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat against Man City.
The former Arsenal manager retired five years ago, but he now works as a pundit – from time to time – for Bein Sports.
After the game on Sunday, Wenger said (via Metro): “I don’t see where they can improve, basically. This team has lost confidence, quality and even spirit today. I would say it was not a great fighting spirit from Man United, on top of that.
“I believe where Man United suffers a lot, first of all is about the quality, the individual quality of the players.
“And I felt today they were very poor to build the game up from the back. They gave the ball so many times to the goalkeeper when they had possibilities to play forward. I would stay it started there.
“Then you make the whole team uncertain and lack confidence because when you feel the fear is behind, they do not want the ball.
“I would say the second part of their big problem today was the distances between the striker and the defenders was huge.
“There were situations where the strikers were closing down, trying to pressure, and the defenders were 20 metres behind the halfway line.
“You cannot win the ball back against a team like Man City when the distances are too big. The team was not compact enough, after that the difference of individual quality.
“If you tell me tonight how many players who get in the first XI of Man City? For me that sums it up. Usually, in a big game or a big derby you’d say I would take three or four from here and there. That sums up the problem of Man United, basically.”
There’s no disputing that United failed in their approach to build from the back in the derby, with a lot of aimless long balls giving possession back to City. Sofyan Amrabat was replaced at half-time and this meant our depleated defence had even less support.
A lot of the fear from fans leaving Old Trafford at the weekend comes from not knowing whether this team can turn things around this season.
With Newcastle up next in the Carabao Cup, it could be a huge week for Ten Hag and the players since we are very much a cup team at the moment.
MORE: Player ratings from Manchester United 0-3 Man City
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