Stewart Downing backs ex-boss Steve McClaren to sort "ill-disciplined" Man Utd flops
EXCLUSIVE: Former Liverpool and England wide-man Stewart Downing told Daily Star Sport that his old boss Steve McClaren is exactly the kind of coach Manchester United need to turn their fortunes around
Ex-England star Stewart Downing has backed his old boss Steve McClaren to snap Manchester United's flops back into shape.
Downing reckons the Red Devils are "so ill-disciplined" and that the ex-England boss is the man to turn that around. Last month, he was announced as Erik ten Hag's new No 2 at Old Trafford, returning to the club for the first time since he was Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant over two decades ago.
United are in desperate need of a revamp following what was statistically their worst ever season in the Premier League. And Downing, who also worked under McClaren at Middlesbrough, thinks they have hired the perfect man for the job.
READ MORE: Steve McClaren said he "hated" Marcus Rashford's attitude before Man Utd appointment
"The one thing I will say about McClaren is that he's a very good on-field coach, and I think that team does need coaching a little bit," Downing said speaking ahead of the 360 Sports TV Masters Cup.
"When I watch United they're so ill-disciplined, and [McClaren] is really good at organising the team and getting them how he wants them to play, and I’m sure he and Ten Hag have got the same sort of ideas."
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McClaren handed Downing his professional debut in 2002 and it wasn't long before the teenager was a regular fixture in Middlesbrough's side as the club soared to heights it hasn't reached since.
They won the League Cup in 2004 and lost the UEFA Cup final in 2006 before McClaren took over the national side after Sven-Goran Eriksson had left.
"We were a very well organised as a team," Downing said, "McClaren overachieved with us, instilled a winning attitude, we got to the UEFA Cup final and beat some amazing teams just by pure hard work and being very well drilled."
Ten Hag knows McClaren well having worked as his assistant at FC Twente during the infamous 'Shteve McLaren' days. There, the pair guided the club to the Eredivisie title - their first piece of silverware for seven years - and now with their roles reversed, United fans will be hoping for a similar sort of instantaneous impact.
Downing, who made over 400 appearances in the Premier League across spells with Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham United, was speaking ahead of the 360 Sports TV Masters Cup, which launches on July 8, available to stream on 360 Sports TV.
He featured 35 times for England between 2005 and 2014, earning roughly half of his caps while McClaren was manager.
The 37-year-old retired from football in August last year following a two-year stint in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers.
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