Nani gives brutal assessment on what Manchester United squad is lacking amid dreadful form
The former Man Utd winger says Erik ten Hag's side are showing "no spirit" to win matches.
Nani says former club Manchester United currently lack a star who will take the onus upon himself to win a game.
The 3-0 loss to Newcastle in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie means the Reds have now lost five of their first ten home games of the season, their worst record since the 1930/31 campaign. Many have accused United of having no bite while leadership within the squad is being questioned.
Nani, now playing in Turkey aged 36, won four Premier League titles and a Champions League with United, among other accolades. He was part of an era when the club had a list-load of leaders and match-winners, himself being within the latter category.
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The winger says this is something United currently lack with last season’s top scorer Marcus Rashford finding the net just once so far and Casemiro way off the boil. Speaking to journalist Pedro Pinto, he gave his thoughts on the current set of players at Old Trafford.
He said: "When you watch Manchester [United] play, you see there is no spirit of sacrifice, there isn't that determination, there isn't a player who says, 'We have to win! We have to run with the ball and put it in the back of the net'."
Erik ten Hag is facing pressure to turn United’s season around after just eight wins in 15 matches this term. Speaking after the Newcastle defeat, he said: "I have said before, when there are setbacks, the routines, the way of play are not similar, not the same, but even then you have to get the results in.
"Obviously, Sunday and tonight was far from that. We have to do things right, at a certain level, a minimum level to win games. I understand [the scrutiny].
"When the results are not there then there is a logical process questioning that. I am confident I can do it. I have done it at all my clubs and also last year, I did it here as well.
"But at this moment, we are also in a bad place. I take responsibility for it. I see it as a challenge, I'm a fighter, I am in the fight and I have to make sure I share the responsibility with the players that we stick together, fight together and get better results in."