If you think that Manchester United‘s eight place in the Premier League last season (or sixth in 2021/22) is terrible and cannot happen again, look at the table. After a totally deserved smashing by Newcastle 4-1, the Red Devils are currently 14th and even if they climb up until the end of the season, they have already broke the ‘record‘ of having the lowest points ever since the Premier League was formed. Their lowest total was in 2021/22, when they won only 58 and now they have 38, with six games to go. If they win them all, they will still have 56. But will they win them all? Looking at this team and the current crop of players, they won‘t.57 – Altay Bayindir attempted 57 passes today, the most by a goalkeeper on their first Premier League start on record since 2003-04. However, he only completed 27 of those pass attempts (47.4%). Difficult. pic.twitter.com/gDwNSRGToh— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 13, 2025 And the main reason is that the quality of players is simply not good. Everybody can see that, but the people most annoyed by the current situation are former footballers, who won so many trophies when Sir Alex Ferguson was there. Former captains Roy Keane and Gary Neville pointed their fingers to the players.“United now are physically and mentally a weak team. Newcastle were too fast, they were too powerful, they were more determined. I can’t see Man United getting better. I worry for this group of players. To me they don’t look like a strong group mentally. I think the manager’s scratching his head. I bet he can’t believe how bad the United team is. This group of players, the mistakes they’re making, they can’t seem to get around the pitch. They’ve got an experienced right-back letting players run past him. I think he’s gone in there and I think he’s been shocked at how bad this group of players are. You don’t know a group of players until you start working with them. Over the last couple of years a lot of the recruitment was bringing players in who haven’t played in the Premier League. They’re lacking quality, pace, power, but show some fight“ said Keane.Newcastle batter Man Utd thus breaking 94-year-old curseNeville as frustrated as his former teammate.”I don’t think there’s a lack of effort, they are so below the standard and quality that you need at that football club, all over the pitch. Other than Bruno Fernandes, Amad maybe, I can’t think of any of them who I can hang my hat on. It is a really desperate situation because the squad is so poor in quality. They have got young players, they’ve got old players who are nowhere near it. Then they have got sort of a group of players who are… it is a worrying situation. The system is a problem, I have asked this question for about two months, who are the natural wing-backs? There are seven or eight teams at the top of the league who need a striker, so you are not going to Manchester United in front of Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea so there is massive issues. Honestly, you don’t know where to build the first step from. There is a serious amount of time and good recruitment needed to get that right” said Neville.’I think Amorim doesn’t like his team’Keane also criticized Bruno Fernandes‘s post-match comments and a a former captain himself, didn‘t want to hear any excuses.“Bruno does front up but it’s kind of just soundbites now. There’s no meaning to it. I don’t know how we can listen to the United players’ interviews anymore because I’m not sure if they’re an honest group. He keeps talking about having belief in his team-mates, but real good team-mates put demands on each other. These aren’t team-mates, they are bluffers. When I listen to Bruno, amazing player, I still have question marks about his leadership. He’s certainly not getting any help around him. Newcastle were outstanding. I think United now are physically and mentally a weak team. Ruben Amorim is scratching his head. I bet he cannot believe how bad this Man United team is“ said the former United‘s player.PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 32SaturdayMan. City – Crystal Palace 5-2 (2-2)/De Bruyne 33, Marmoush 36, Kovacic 47, McAtee 56, O’Reilly 79 – Eze 8, Richards 21/Brighton – Leicester 2-2 (1-1)/Joao Pedro 31 pen, 55 pen – Mavididi 38, Okoli 74/Nott.Forest – Everton 0-1 (0-0)/Doucoure 90+4/Southampton – Aston Villa 0-3 (0-0)/Watkins 73, Malen 79, McGinn 90+4/Arsenal – Brentford 1-1 (0-0)/Partey 61 – Wissa 74/SundayChelsea – Ipswich 2-2 (0-2)/Tuanzebe 46 (og), Sancho 79 – Enciso 19, Johnson 31/Liveprool – West Ham 2-1 (1-0)/Diaz 18, van Dijk 89 – Robertson 86 (og)/Wolverhampton – Tottenham 4-2 (2-0)/Ait Nouri 2 (og), Spence 38 (og), Larsen 64, Cunha 86- Tel 59, Richarlison 85/Newcastle – Man. Utd. 4-1 (1-1)/Tonali 24, Barnes 49, 64, Bruno Guimaraes 77 – Garnacho 37/Monday22:00: (2.25) Bournemouth (3.40) Fulham (3.20)***odds are subject to change***
