Theo Walcott has expressed his dismay towards Erik ten Hag and Manchester United for deciding to cancel the club’s end-of-season awards dinner.
The news was confirmed by The Athletic on Sunday evening – following the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal – that the awards dinner had been called off this season for the first time since 2021/2022, which saw the term end with Ralf Rangnick at the reins as United finished sixth in the league.
As it stands, the side isn’t expected to finish that high this campaign based on recent form, although a win against Newcastle United tomorrow may change matters, as the Reds could close the three-point gap on the sixth-placed Magpies ahead of the final day.
It’s still been a staggeringly underwhelming nine months overall, though. Being knocked out of the Champions League prior to Christmas after finishing rock-bottom of their group, exiting the Carabao Cup – a trophy United held at the time – in the fourth round, and a record-making 14 Premier League losses. Pretty dire, all things considered.
On the other hand, while the men’s team may have fallen short of the expectations set for them, United have enjoyed successes with both the women’s and youth teams.
Marc Skinner’s side got their hands on a first-ever major trophy in the form of the FA Cup in front of 76,000 fans at Wembley on Sunday, having defeated Tottenham Hotspur convincingly with a 4-0 win.
As well as that, the U18s, led by Adam Lawrence, oversaw a scintillating season that has culminated in them being crowned league champions of the Premier League North and winners of the PL Cup, while the women’s U21s reigned victorious in the WSL Academy League National.
Other Reds deserve to have their accomplishments celebrated, says Walcott
Speaking on The Monday Night Club, Walcott shared his verdict: “We’re teaching this generation there are no rewards, there’s nothing to look forward to, I don’t know, I think it’s always important to see these players look up to their heroes or the people they idolise and to be in that environment.
“And you’re right when you say the ladies’ team has been successful – it’s not just the men’s team we’re talking about. We’re talking about as a club in general, and the staff, the amount of work the staff will have done behind the closed doors that no one even considers to talk about, from the kitchen staff to the cleaning to everything, it’s for them as well, that’s the bit that people forget.
“So I’m actually really disappointed that Ten Hag’s actually done that because I think you’ve got to look at the bigger picture. It’s not just about the 21-man squad, however many players there are, it’s the whole bigger picture in my opinion.”
