Manchester United’s players did themselves no favours with a dispiriting performance in the defeat to Wolves.
The Red Devils looked disjointed and out of sync in the home loss, which came as little surprising considering the generally underwhelming displays under new interim boss Ralf Rangnick so far.
Now reports are emerging suggesting numerous players want to leave the club, with The Mirror reporting as many as 11 players are considering departures.
Rangnick must instill discipline
Ralf Rangnick wants to implement a high pressing style which has been the basis of his management philosophy over the past decade.
The problem he faces is that the players are not working hard enough for him. Wolves’ winning goal was scored when United’s stars were too slow to close Joao Moutinho down.
Rangnick lamented via the club website: “Joao Moutinho could shoot, completely unmarked with no problems and no pressure at all.”
Shape up or ship out
United are in crisis right now, facing an uphill battle to qualify for the top four. There is no doubt the fault rests with the players, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer removed as boss, the same stars are failing to perform for the new interim boss.
How would United’s greatest ever manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, have dealt with this situation?
Speaking at Harvard, quoted by the Daily Record in 2012, Ferguson said he would have no tolerance for players who were not pulling their weight.
Ferguson said: !When I work with the biggest talents I tell them hard work is a talent, too. They need to work harder than anyone else.“If they can no longer bring the discipline that we ask for at United they are out.
“I am only interested in players who really want to play for United and are bad losers.”
Ferguson went on to add: “If they misbehave we fine them but we keep it indoors. And if anyone steps out of my control that’s them dead.”
Rangnick may not have the command Sir Alex Ferguson earned, and it may not be prudent for an interim boss to sell too many players, but he certainly has the authority to ship a few out on loan.
Away from United, these players may realise how good they have it at Old Trafford, and re-evaluate their attitudes.
Rangnick will also be staying on as consultant for a two year period beyond this season, so any players burning their bridges could live to regret it.
United supporters are fed up with the performances the players have been putting in, and the constant leaking of unhappiness behind the scenes which is an affront to their professionalism.
If Rangnick is really at a loss, he could do worse than reach out to Sir Alex for advice. The great man will no doubt give him some firm instructions on how to deal with the unrest.
- Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo’s return date to Man United pre-season training confirmed
- Youri Tielemans has a trait that Kobbie Mainoo needs to learn from him in Man Utd training
- Benjamin Sesko injury update and return timeline, what happened to Man Utd striker and way forward
- Man Utd can no longer offer Marcus Rashford what he needs, and plans are in place far beyond him
- Man Utd have one of the top 25 fastest players at the World Cup – but sold the star at #2
- Manchester United’s search for a reliable centre-back – Smart Premier League and European options for Ineos
- Every Man Utd loanee for the 2026/27 season
- Three standout World Cup stars proved that Man Utd should have done everything in their power to sign them
- Sir Alex Ferguson’s approach to Lisandro Martinez proves why ‘writing off’ Man Utd star is now premature
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
