David Beckham fumes Man Utd problems have lasted ‘too long’ and reveals moment they ‘lost part of the club’
DAVID BECKHAM has insisted that Manchester United’s problems have lasted “too long” and that they have never recovered from losing “part of the club”.
The legendary winger, 49, burst on the scene during the mid-90s along with several other members of the famous Class of ‘92.
The lifelong United fan went on to score 85 goals in 394 appearances and won 12 trophies, including five Premier Leagues and the Champions League, before leaving for Real Madrid in 2003.
United have not won the title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 and they were last kings of Europe in 2008.
Louis van Gaal led United to FA Cup success in 2016 before Jose Mourinho secured them the League Cup and Europa League in 2017.
Erik ten Hag guided them to another League Cup success last season and will lead United out in the FA Cup Final against neighbours Man City later this month.
However, it has been a dire campaign on the pitch with the Red Devils’ title drought showing no signs of ending any time soon.
United were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal at home on Sunday to leave them stuck in eighth place.
They have tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle at Old Trafford and a final day trip to Brighton left to salvage things and avoid Ten Hag’s side recording their worst Premier League finish ever.
United, who have lost 19 games in all competitions, which is the club’s most since the 1978/79 season, are at serious risk of missing out on European football altogether.
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Now former England captain Beckham says United’s problems have gone on for “too long” since Fergie left 11 years ago.
Speaking to The Athletic’s Talk of the Devils podcast at the premiere of 99, the Amazon Prime documentary covering United’s iconic treble-winning season of 25 years ago, the now Inter Miami owner said: “I think it has been a difficult time over the last five or ten years, but it was always going to be when the boss left the club.
“It wasn’t just that, we lost players like Ryan Giggs, Roy Keane and Gary Neville, all of these players that had been at United for so long; you lose part of that and you lose part of the club.
“So it was always going to be a difficult time. But we’d like it to change pretty quickly because I think it’s gone on for too long now.”
Fans are hoping that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos’ investment of £1.03bn for a 27.7 per cent stake in the club and subsequent takeover of football operations at Old Trafford will help them climb back to the top.
The 71-year-old and Ineos Director of Sport Sir Dave Brailsford have quickly set about trying to rebuild the whole club.
Pundits' verdict on Ten Hag's future
Where do the pundits stand on Erik ten Hag's Manchester United future?
Michael Owen – He has to go
“He cannot, simply cannot, manage this team next season. He’s not good enough.”
Teddy Sheringham – Might stay if he wins Cup but should go
“If United win the FA Cup, he could stay. But, for me, changes are needed and United need to get it done sooner than later.”
Jamie Carragher – Sacked
“I don’t see how Erik ten Hag stays. It’s just performance after performance.”
Gary Neville – Stay if he wins the FA Cup
“To sack a manager who’s won two trophies in his first two seasons at the club I think would be extreme.”
Louis Saha – On the fence
“I don’t see it as clearly but they need changes from the players but they need changes from him as well.”
Alan Shearer – Sacked
“I believe the future of the Man Utd manager is already determined. Even if they win the FA Cup I think he’s gone.”
United confirmed the appointment of Jason Wilcox as technical director last month from Southampton.
They had already announced ex-Man City man Omar Berrada as their new chief executive.
But a new sporting director is yet to be officially appointed but is expected to be Newcastle’s Dan Ashworth, who is on gardening leave, with more talks to thrash out compensation set to take place.
While Ten Hag’s future still remains in serious jeopardy with Brentford’s Thomas Frank the latest name to be linked as a potential replacement.
SunSport's verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd's squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.