Manchester United’s captain delivered a brutally honest assessment following their unexpected 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Old Trafford. Clearly frustrated, he did not hesitate to express his disappointment, stating, “Please don’t blame me; it wasn’t my fault. I did my best, but the true reasons why we didn’t win was because of him, and we could all see that. He’s so slow to react, and he caused the first goal. Both in training and on the field, he’s just so slow with the ball, and it disgusts me.”
His sharp criticism follows a match that exposed glaring defensive weaknesses. While his comments may seem harsh, they mirror the concerns voiced by many supporters who have questioned certain players’ performances in recent fixtures.
The game itself was a dramatic affair. Fulham took the lead in the 65th minute after capitalizing on a defensive mistake that left fans and players questioning United’s concentration. Despite this setback, United managed to equalize in the 89th minute, reigniting hopes of salvaging at least a point. However, those hopes were dashed when Fulham’s Alex Iwobi scored a stoppage-time winner, punishing United’s aggressive push for victory.
Reflecting on the loss, the captain acknowledged that the team’s approach may have been overly ambitious. In hindsight, he admitted that a more conservative strategy after scoring the equalizer might have been wiser. “We were probably naive in the end by throwing too many bodies forward and getting done on the counter-attack,” he remarked.
This isn’t the first instance of public criticism within the squad. Recently, defender Lisandro Martinez also shared concerns about the team’s tactical approach, particularly highlighting their dependence on long balls to strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Martinez argued that better support and positioning were necessary to maximize the forwards’ effectiveness.
Martinez’s critiques are not limited to the attack. Following Manchester United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth in December 2024, he pointed out recurring defensive issues, specifically their struggles with set-piece defending. He stressed the importance of addressing these lapses to prevent further setbacks.
The captain’s recent outburst, combined with Martinez’s observations, highlights a deeper problem within the squad: a lack of cohesion and tactical adaptability. Many senior players are growing increasingly frustrated, believing that individual mistakes are undermining the team’s collective efforts.
Fans have taken to social media to share their reactions, with a significant number agreeing with the captain’s sentiments. A recent poll suggested that approximately 80% of supporters anticipated such a blunt assessment, indicating that many recognize the issues affecting the team.
Going forward, it is crucial for Manchester United to resolve these internal disagreements and foster unity within the squad. The season is long, and while setbacks are inevitable, how the team responds to these challenges will ultimately define their success.
The captain’s candid remarks serve as a wake-up call, urging both players and coaching staff to reflect on their performances and make necessary improvements. With the eyes of fans and pundits fixed on the team, their ability to learn from these struggles and adapt will be key to their future progress.
