Former Manchester United midfielder Nemanja Matic was recently asked why Manchester United have failed to reach their former heights.
Manchester United were once considered one of the best footballing sides in the entire globe, with Premier League after Premier League, not to mention a few Champions Leagues along the way, too.
But now, United haven’t won a Premier League title in 13 years and have gone through what feels like 100 different managers attempting to find the next Sir Alex Ferguson. And it’s safe to say that the search hasn’t gone as planned.
Rúben Amorim was the most recent candidate handed the keys to Old Trafford, but he lasted just over a year in charge of the club before being replaced by Darren Fletcher and now Michael Carrick.
Carrick was handed the job until the end of the season, but appears to have thrown his name into the managerial contention after an impressive start to his second stint in charge of his former club.
It’s not just the managers that have held United back, though. Nemanja Matic, who was coached by Carrick when Ole Gunnar Solskjær led the club, has revealed why United haven’t succeeded in recent years.
Matic speaks on poor United form
The team Matic played in, under Jose Mourinho and Solskjær, came closest to winning the Premier League, but there were still problems at the club during those stints, as he has now explained.
Speaking to Gazetta dello Sport, Matic said: “First of all, the pressure. It was hard for everyone to understand that United weren’t the richest team in England, nor the strongest. I remember when I played there, and I’d pass the ball backwards to get from one flank to the other, people would grumble.
“Then I think the owners weren’t in tune with the fans’ mentality and expectations. They were thinking too much about other things, like marketing. Even us players spent two hours a week on marketing.
“Now, however, something has changed: Carrick was an excellent choice; they need to give him a couple of years to rebuild the team.”
When asked about pressure in modern-day football, he said: “When I was twenty, I read the newspaper and looked for my report card. One, two, or three people would talk about me. That’s it.
“Now everyone says and writes what they want, but the problem is that the kids read it. So on one site you get a high rating, on another you get a low rating, and you don’t understand how it’s possible.”
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Ratcliffe must turn United around
While he didn’t cause the original mess, Sir Jim Ratcliffe must be the man to turn United around. Many already knew the ownership were to blame, but Matic’s recent comments would’ve only added fuel to the fire.
His first big decision will be whether Carrick stays in charge for next season or if he is dismissed. When asked about Carrick, he said: “He is doing an excellent job. Yeah, absolutely.”
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“No, not going there!” said Ratcliffe when asked if Carrick was the man for the job. He is holding his cards close to his chest, as he should be. He does not need to be reactionary, but cautious.
United cannot continue with the way the Glazers were running the club. It has to change. And it has to change now.
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