Owen Hargreaves has delivered a ruthless assessment of Manchester United and their recruitment policy after his former club suffered a damaging 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
It was another afternoon to forget for Ruben Amorim's side, who have lost 10 of their 22 league games this season, including six defeats at home.
Brighton took an early lead through former Newcastle man Yankuba Minteh – a goal that meant the Reds have conceded the first goal in each of their last five Premier League games at Old Trafford.
And despite Bruno Fernandes' equaliser from the penalty spot midway through the first-half, United never looked to be in control as Brighton continued to cause problems in the final third.
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The likes of Andre Onana, Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt were soon punished, as second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter put the game to bed.
After the full-time whistle, Ruben Amorim suggested his side were maybe "the worst" in Manchester United's entire history.
"I know you [media] want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that," the Portuguese said in his post-match press conference. "Here you go: your headlines."
And he wasn't the only one to criticise United as former midfielder Owen Hargreaves made his feelings clear.
Speaking to Premier League Productions after the final whistle, Hargreaves said, “They [United] never looked like scoring. They scored from a penalty, that was it. Brighton had one disallowed, scored three and had numerous chances outside of that.
"When you see the graphic there, the last six results, everybody is giving United trouble.
“I mean, Southampton are last place with six points from 60 and could have got something. So when you think you’re going to play Newcastle, Bournemouth…you’re going to get punished. And I think that’s the worry for Amorim.
“He’s come in and said, ‘Look, I’m going to play this way.’ You’d have to say it doesn’t suit the players that they have right now. It’s not just about playing your way, which is fine. You have got to find a way to get results. That’s it.
Hargreaves added: “I think they struggle to keep the ball with this formation sometimes. To progress between the lines because it’s only two midfielders, I think it’s hard to keep it. So you’re relying on individual moments like Amad to get out of trouble.”
The former England international, who spent four years at Old Trafford between 2007 and 2011, played down suggestions that United's performances of late have been down to attitude.
Instead, he pointed the finger at recruitment as he compared Brighton's current team to the one Ruben Amorim has at his disposal.
Asked about whether they look confused, Hargreaves said: “They probably are confused because they’re trying to do what the manager wants and they’re going to do it because if they don’t, they’re not going to play.
“But I think the recruitment has been a huge issue over the last three, four years. Look at Brighton, they had six players in that starting XI, who would start for Manchester United. That should never happen, ever, with the utmost respect.
“They shouldn’t have players that get into the United team. They shouldn’t even get into the 18 and they got six that would start at United. It goes back to recruitment.”
Thoughts on United's performances of late? What is going wrong? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Owen Hargreaves, Manchester United, Brighton And Hove Albion, Premier League, Ruben Amorim
Jack Kenmare