Dwight Yorke points out 'disturbing' Manchester United issues in stark message to players
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is under the spotlight following the 3-0 defeat by Tottenham - but his players are equally responsible for the shambolic recent performances
Manchester United’s players need to take some responsibility for their dreadful start to the season, according to Dwight Yorke.
United are 13th in the Premier League, having won just two of their six matches so far, following the dreadful 3-0 defeat by Tottenham on Sunday. The away side took the lead after three minutes before Bruno Fernandes was sent off to send his side spiralling towards another defeat at Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag’s job is once again under scrutiny, with the £180million investment over the summer transfer window yet to spark any improvements from the team which finished eighth last season. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has made it clear he won’t accept mediocrity at United and Ten Hag faces crucial matches against Porto and Aston Villa before the international break.
But United have scored just five goals in six league games – three of which came against bottom side Southampton – and have put in some alarming performances. Former United striker Yorke believes that, while Ten Hag picks the side and lays out the game plan, the players are guilty of failing to meet the most basic of demands.
“When I joined, you had to match the opposition for effort because we knew then our talent would shine through,” Yorke told Prime Casino. “If we’re not matching them for desire, effort, work ethic, you’re never going to win.
“It was clear on Sunday we were lacking in those departments. We didn’t look fit. We didn’t press. There was no energy whatsoever. It looked like we were playing with no idea about what we were supposed to do when we were in or out of position. Those are two fundamental things I find disturbing.”
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Asked who was most to blame for the malaise, Yorke replied: “Both have to take responsibility. The manager sets his stall out and tells the players what he’s expecting. All that has been briefed at the team talk.
“Now, when you deliver that team talk, the ideas and what the club is about, and how to win the match, the players have to engage and buy into what he’s saying. Ten Hag has to transfer that energy so that the players can go out and express themselves in the way the manager has described. Both players and manager are responsible for that.”
United have looked too easy to play against, with a lack of bite in midfield and leadership at the back. Yorke thinks that, while the tactics are clearly not working, the players could deliver results simply by wanting it more than their opponents.
“The biggest thing is the lack of conviction, the lack of work ethic,” he said. “People talk about identity, and you can go into more detail, about your methodology and all those fancy words, but you have to show desire and earn the right to win football matches. That’s what always stuck with me from my time at United.”
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