Four Manchester United players ‘don’t spark fear in opponents’, says former Premier League striker

Despite victory against Burnley, Manchester United were unimpressive at Turf Moor and Peter Crouch believes there are players within Erik ten Hag’s squad that don’t ‘spark fear’ into opponents.

The Reds secured three points against The Clarets, with Bruno Fernandes’ spectacular volley being the difference between the two sides, but it was anything but a convincing performance.

Burnley controlled the possession for the majority of the game, and whilst it appeared that Ten Hag adjusted the team’s out-of-possession approach, they still looked vulnerable in periods throughout the game.

Peter Crouch, who played for Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and a host of other clubs, believes that there are several United players who are not fearful to opposition teams in Ten Hag’s team.

The ex-Premier League striker played during the Sir Alex Ferguson era, where the likes of Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, and Cristiano Ronaldo were lining up in the tunnel.

The lack of that fear factor at Old Trafford now is one reason why teams believe that they can get something out of a game against The Reds, Crouch said.

“That’s been the issue since Sir Alex Ferguson left, and you look at the amount of money they’ve spent recently – they’ve got Hannibal, McTominay, Evans and Reguilon. Those are players that don’t install fear in other teams,” Crouch said whilst talking on TNT Sports ahead of the Burnley game.

“I played up against Rio’s United over the years and you’d be shaking, you’d stand next to them in the tunnel and you’d be scared of the workout you’re about to get. I think Burnley will be looking at them and not fearing them.”

And that’s exactly how Vincent Kompany’s side approached the game on Saturday. Thankfully, United got the three points.

However, in order to spark that fear factor, United do not only need world-class individuals, but Ten Hag needs to create a winning formula as the squad looks to gel together going forward.