Manchester United midfielder Fred has broken ranks to question the direction of the club.
In an interview in Brazil with TNT Sports, reported by The Guardian, Fred spoke freely, away from club public relations staff filtering his responses.
Fred said of Ralf Rangnick’s interim role: “It’s a bit strange. I know in football it’s important to get good results as soon as possible but it’s also important to have a long-term plan.
“I think it’s a little bit bad for us not to have one [a permanent manager].
“At the moment it’s all about the short-term goals. We don’t know how it’s going to be after the end of this season.”
United should be embarrassed
Manchester United’s much-vaunted ‘rebuild’ under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer crashed and burned earlier this season, and the senior executives at the club simply were not prepared for it.
The Guardian reported how it was Joel Glazer who held up Solskjaer’s sacking in October as he wanted the Norwegian to continue in charge.
It is quite clear Manchester United had no back-up plan for Solskjaer, no contingency plan at all, and were left utterly stunned by the project failing amid increased expectations.
A longer term view has been taken, which might end up working out, with Ralf Rangnick brought in, with a view to a permanent successor this summer. So while that could be a smart approach, Fred’s comments highlight a real disconnect.
United’s players feel abandoned by the lack of strategy, with this season effectively written off as soon as November, when the interim plan was made.
For players like Fred, who is 28, this is happening in the peak of his career. Edinson Cavani is in another situation, heading into the final few months of his contract, is it any wonder some fans think he can’t be bothered, when there is a total lack of direction from the club?
Other players are in different situation. Many of United’s teammates would like Paul Pogba to stay. But how can the Frenchman possibly commit when he does not know who the next manager will be? Likewise with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Players like Fred, Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes, could also seek contract extensions, but there is no clarity at this point from the club.
All it requires is a little patience, but United have let the players down for the club to even be in this situation.
In the January transfer window, the Glazers could have sent a message of support to the players and shown some direction by adding a new signing or two to the mix. This would have helped the club’s Champions League push, and top four campaign.
Instead the players saw the squad shrink in January, rather than improve. Is it any wonder there are stories of dressing room unrest and frustration, when the rot comes from the very top?
United’s players usually stay quiet on these kind of issues, and concentrate on the football. Fred deserves credit for speaking out, and giving us a true insight into how the players at Old Trafford really feel.
All of Joel Glazers’ words at last summer’s fan forum count for zilch right now. The fans feel let down by the club, and so do the players.
The last few months have been marked by total silence from the Glazers. After hoping they had quelled the unrest by signing Ronaldo last summer, the owners have faded away into the background again, and are conspicuous by their lack of words and actions. In that void, Fred has spoken up and is asking the right questions.
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