Steven Gerrard, the former Liverpool captain, has not held back in his criticisms of Manchester United's squad, asserting that several players fall short of the club's illustrious legacy.
During his appearance on The Overlap Daily, Gerrard expressed concerns about the defence, attacking flanks, and the club's transfer strategy, particularly singling out Bruno Fernandes for praise.
Gerrard names Fernandes as United's standout player
Despite his Liverpool allegiances, Gerrard was quick to commend the talents of Manchester United's captain.
'Manchester United have some good players, and Bruno Fernandes is the best among them. When he’s on form, even as a Liverpool fan, I enjoy watching him. He’s a brilliant footballer in terms of talent,’ said the former midfielder.
'These defenders should have been sold earlier'
Gerrard believes Manchester United have maintained some defenders for too long, particularly highlighting Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.
'Maguire has had a solid career. I’ve played with Shaw, and at his peak, he was a top footballer. But right now, they’re no longer United-quality players. They should have been moved on sooner,' he remarked.
He also expressed doubts about Lisandro Martinez, questioning his commitment during the club's internal struggles and injury woes. It's worth noting this is Gerrard's personal assessment rather than any concrete evidence regarding Martinez's motivations.
Critique of the transfer policy
Gerrard dedicated a considerable portion of his critique to the club's squad building, doubting the hierarchy's ability to sign players who can make an immediate impact.
'Why are you signing players who aren’t good enough for Manchester United? They might be the only ones the club can attract right now, but they don’t meet the United standard,' Gerrard said.
He mentioned Carlos Baleba, noting the midfielder's potential but questioning whether he’s ready to help the team compete at the top of the Premier League just yet.
Diallo, Cunha, and Sesko also come under fire
Gerrard feels United lack quality on the flanks, describing Amad Diallo's performances as inconsistent and claiming the left wing has offered little value to the team.
However, he praised Bryan Mbeumo, recognising him as one of the standout players for United this season.
Matheus Cunha was also scrutinised, with Gerrard questioning why the Brazilian has lost his place in the starting eleven, speculating that it could relate to his training habits, although no allegations of disciplinary issues were presented.
As for Benjamin Sesko, currently nursing an injury, Gerrard believes he has yet to meet expectations.
'Manchester United have problems everywhere'
In conclusion, Gerrard asserted that the club's troubles span nearly every area—from defence to attack. He made it clear that the onus is not only on the players but also on the hierarchy, which shapes the transfer strategy.
