Former Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has accused Manchester United’s players of ‘giving up’ this season after Monday night’s shambolic 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Reds slumped to a record-breaking 13th Premier League defeat of the season and fans are awaiting more as we face Arsenal, Newcastle and Brighton before the league campaign ends.
Sagna, who also played for Arsenal, has spoken to Paddy Power about United ahead of Sunday’s game.
The Frenchman said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News: “There is no momentum at United. If it was easy for any coach, it would be different. Losing 4-0 to Crystal Palace, people will question Erik ten Hag and his ability to train the team, but it seemed like the United players have given up on this season. From one season to another, it can be very different – we saw it with Arsenal where people were demanding that Mikel Arteta step down but look where he is now. I think Ten Hag needs to be given more time, forget about this season, and just try to finish it on a positive note. I would not get rid of him just because they have had a bad season, he’s not the one on the pitch – of course, he’s making the selections, but he’s selecting good players. If it’s against you, it’s against you – and it seems to be against United this season.”
It should be seen as an insult because Sagna has levelled one of the worst criticisms possible at a group of professional footballers. That they’ve thrown the towel in and have no fight left for the manager.
Sagna lays the blame at the players rather than Ten Hag, and it will be interesting to see what players remain and who stays in the summer.
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