David Beckham has urged Manchester United’s players to prove they are motivated to play for the club.
These stars shouldn’t need extra motivation. Not only are they paid extremely well, it should go without saying that representing one of the world’s biggest clubs is an honour.
The fact some of them need reminding of that is telling. Hopefully, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS led football operations team is taking note of that.
Former United star David Beckham was in Manchester on Thursday to attend the premiere of a new documentary about the club’s famous 1999 treble-winning side.
Beckham was a figure figure in the United team that won the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Now the former England captain’s Studio 99 company have played a role in the production of ‘99’, a three-part series that launches on May 17.
Speaking at the event, Beckham shared his thoughts on how Erik ten Hag’s side have struggled on the pitch for results all season. He believes the players must take their share of the blame, saying (via France 24): “You’d hope that the manager doesn’t have to do much.
“I think that’s the whole point of being a Manchester United player and playing in these big games – you should be motivated.”
Ten Hag’s second season in charge could get even worse if United suffer a humiliating defeat to Man City in the FA Cup final. Our form right now doesn’t bode well for any false sense of positivity.
Beckham hopes United’s current crop can prove they deserve long-term futures at the club by turning things around at Wembley after losing last season’s final to City.
“When you’re a professional footballer and you’re doing the job you love and you’re at the club you love, when you’re playing in any game, whether it’s a regular season game or whether it’s an FA Cup final against your rivals, that should be enough motivation,” he said.
“And, if it’s not, then you’re in the wrong team and you’re playing the wrong sport. We went into every game, whether it was a youth cup game, a friendly game, off-season or a European Cup final, with the same mentality and the same drive.
“We all know Erik’s a very qualified manager and a good manager and he has the right motives.”
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