What INEOS Must Change At Manchester United...

Take advantage of MANSCAPED®’s best valued bundle and save 20% Off and Free Shipping with the code Howson at Manscaped.com. That’s 20% off with free shipping at manscaped.com and use code Howson Time to save and shave with MANSCAPED®
It’s weeks like these where being a United fan is most depressing. We really don’t know how bad it’s going to get, or how bad it could get. Manchester United are in panic mode. We are THIS CLOSE to pushing the big red button and starting all over again on a new project. We have our new shiny owner in INEOS, and they are about to show their quality in a big way over the coming weeks. There are infinite variables that need changing at the club, here’s what I think INEOS need to change first...
🔔 Subscribe now for the freshest Football and Manchester United updates straight from Old Trafford. Here, you’ll be the first to catch:
🏟️ Football News: From the Premier League to the Champions League, we have all the hottest news covered.
🥅 Man Utd News: Get the latest scoops straight from Old Trafford.
🌟 Man United Academy News: Keeping tabs on the future stars of the club.
🎥 Live Stream Reactions: Join us as we share live reactions to all the Premier League and Champions League matches.
🎬 Manchester United Documentaries & Vlogs: Deep dives and behind-the-scenes insights into your favourite team.
⚽ Goals, Highlights & Player Analysis: Detailed analyses focusing on stars such as Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.
🎧 Podcasts: Tune in for rich discussions featuring special guests and Erik ten Hag's press conference reactions.
📢 Transfers & Premier League Buzz: Be the first to know all the freshest transfers and Premier League news.
Your support is our strength! Contribute and enjoy exclusive perks:
💖 Patreon: Access behind-the-scenes and more here: bit.ly/HowsonPatreon
💎 KZbin Membership: Unlock exclusive perks: / @stephenhowson
Deepen the conversation:
Check out Howson IRL here: / @howson-irl
💬 Reddit: Engage with our community: / howson
🎤 Podcast: Tune into our in-depth discussions: apple.co/1qQHSdF
Stay Connected:
👍 Facebook: / mrstephenhowson
🐦 Twitter: / mrstephenhowson
📸 Instagram: / mrstephenhowson
🎵 TikTok: / mrstephenhowson
🌐 For more, visit: www.stephenhowson.com
#ManchesterUnited #MUFC #INEOS

[@Prime-R9]

I can't wait for Gareth Southgate to be appointed as Ten Hag's successor 🙂 Exactly what some deserve who've hounded Ten Hag out. Honestly Thomas Tuchel or Thomas Frank will do, basically anything to get the current manager out quickly! (Short-sighted with short-term solutions for long existing issues) "New slate/fresh start" with Gareth at the helm ⭐ No solid/suitable options available plus as u can see from the sarcasm above I'd rather stick with Ten Hag but unfortunately I don't think he'll be afforded time, with the noise from the outside all season it's gradually made it's way/seeped/infiltrated the players minds, this is what creates player power, they've lost belief in the manager due to the fans who've been on his head all season. (With every manager it's the same pattern, exact same outcome too, always ends the same, hence why I always say - alongside the Glazers, the fans are the biggest problem at Utd) Personally I'd give EtH at least another season, then assess the situation, then make a informed decision, go from there. Yes there's a few names available but non interest me barring Motta but even with him it's a huge risk. Also some clarity from the club would be nice - If you're going to keep him on then tell us! If you're going to move him on then tell us! Not manager "in or out" Manchester United in! All for the betterment of the club To whom it may concern - Align/temper/base your expectations & standards upon reality, rather than what u want to see/happen. Real life not Football Manager. That might help ♥️ that's where the disconnect lies. GGMU 🔴

[@darrylweathers6764]

Couldn’t have put it better myself GGMU

[@MichaelEnright-gk6yc]

Thank you for your common sense throwing out the baby with the Bath water.

[@MichaelEnright-gk6yc]

As Jim Ratcliffe has said its 3 yrs work to get this club to Champions League.

[@u-Dramatic_avocado5867]

All facts

[@jaserogers997]

Another dork happy to be served shit on a plate. This fanbase is the weakest in football.

[@stephenharris5519]

I don’t think you need to read too much between the lines with what SJR has said in interviews. I’m holding out hope that he “gets it”. I think the stories being leaked, cup final tickets, IT department, working from home etc are clearly designed to let us know what’s going on. The lack of respect shown to OUR club needs to stop and stop now.

[@martinez5566]

It was always going to get worse before it got any better. I honestly think Ineos, using the new backroom staff, need to take a step back, let ten Hag see out his contract, and properly identify the players that need bringing in, as well as where all the behind the scenes stuff like injuries is coming from. That would mean trying to clear out a lot of the deadwood Utd currently have this summer, only bolstering numbers in key positions. Basically, fucking off next season before we even start it to develop a masterplan. Spend the year scouting for key abilities to suit a playing style Ineos want to adopt. We have to stop throwing shit at the wall and hoping it sticks.

[@andrewhoughton2617]

Got to agree. Our club is to scared to take short term pain for long term gain

[@steve13191]

No it doesnt. Thiago motta, unai emery, xabi alonso took over their respective team when they were in relegation zone. Eddie howe as well. If they had to get worse all of them would be in 2nd division in their respective league by now 😂😂😂 donut

[@AaronTom9118]

Shush

[@christopherjones7098]

Collin mcgreger had it right ,hard to get up at 5am and go for a run ,when you sleep in silk sheets

[@wr9209]

That’s a Marvin Hagler quote.

[@jedsithor]

There are some serious conversations that need to be had about the squad. I think everyone over the age of 23 needs to be analysed (and a few players under) because there is a rot at United that is psychological more than anything. It's like a collective depression. Anyone who has suffered serious depression will see the signs. Everything becomes harder, your legs feel heavier, the brightest days can be shattered by the tiniest setbacks, which in turn feel like disasters. It's been this way at United for years, going back at least as far as Mourinho's time. It's like the club is stuck in a rut that it can't get out of. The new owners coming in with fresh ideas will help things but I think for a lot of players, the solution, for their own sakes as much as the club's, might be for them to leave. Furthermore, every decision that's made needs to be with a single question in mind - will this player help us win the league? If the answer is anything other than an emphatic "yes" then those players need to go and we can't hold on to the usual "but he's a decent squad player" mantra. Our "squad" players need to be players who are good enough to start week in week out. That's what the standard needs to be. We need a squad where our bench is good enough to start for any other team. No player can be off limits to scrutiny. Rashford scored 30 goals last season. Does he need to do that every season? No. He can score 20 goals and provide 10 assists. 15 goals and 15 assists. Zero goals and 30 assists. If 30 is the benchmark for him then he needs to contribute that many goals either by scoring himself or assisting others. If he's not capable of putting up those numbers consistently, there's no point in keeping him. I don't want to sell him but if the ultimate target is winning the league, he needs to provide those numbers or we have to find someone who will. We need to be ruthless about this. Then there's Bruno. I'm not suggesting we should sell him. He's our best player but we need to think about replacing him. He's 29 and will turn 30 at the beginning of next season. If it's gonna take 2 or 3 years to build a team capable of winning the league we need to be thinking beyond Bruno's tenure. He's missed one game through injury in his time at United, which is incredible but you have to wonder if it's going to catch up to him eventually. Maybe he'll cover every blade of grass until he's 40 or maybe he'll drop off the way Matic did and Casemiro is now. Either way we need to be thinking about his successor. These are the kinds of issues we need to be addressing. It's not just about getting rid of the usual suspects (Maguire, McTominay etc). Rangnick said the club needs open heart surgery, well that means every single player needs to be scrutinised, assessed and a decision made about them. The same goes for the manager, the scouts, the medical team etc. Every aspect of the club needs to be looked at, again with one question in mind - will these people help us win the league?

[@BangBangUnited]

I'd be depressed to if i had to share a dressing room with a guy getting paid 350k a week and doing absolutely nothing to justify that

[@raymondmassie4898]

@@BangBangUnitedI think there are 2 or 3 that fit that description

[@jtl2191]

The structure needs to be in place before we change management if it does happen, ETH should be given till the end of his contract the decide then

[@karenredheadmutdfan4994]

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Some fans melting because of this bad season. There is no quick fix for United from years languishing in the wilderness. We need a hefty amount of courage, belief and support for the manager and INEOS. Players out. EtH in for one more season with a structure behind him to prove whether he's right for the job. INEOS will know by January whether they need to change the coach and by then they'll have had time to compile a suitable list of first class coaches instead of grabbing just anyone at the end of this Season, i.e Southgate, Potter or Tuchel.

[@TheBranjoez]

Best of the week channel on United for me! In fact for the last two months!

[@cyeamaculture8486]

The darkest hour is before dawn

[@bman6414]

That was ten years ago mate.

[@steve13191]

If aston villa and leverkusen listened to you they would be relegated by now. Instead one is in champions league the other won the bundesliga. I thank and appreciate you that you’re not in football 😂😂

[@cyeamaculture8486]

@@steve13191 eh? What you on about?

[@TSF15152]

@@steve13191 You talk rubbish Emery got sacked by Arsenal. The pressure at Leverkusen and Villa is nothing compared to United. Clearly you aren't that smart you just spam multiple posts on youtube because your life is a joke. Ten Hag had a better first season than Pep and Klopp. Klopp failed last season ffs after spending years at Liverpool.

[@BIazy]

​@@steve13191 the darkness is when they were battling for relegation, the dawn is now. what do you not understand?

[@josephonyango2072]

I'm sure someone has said this... Arsenal had a lot of injuries for a period of time, we then hired their club doctor and now we have a lot of injuries. Its a very big coincidence. thats all i'm syaing!

[@kyle2999]

The athletic listed United as the most valuable club in the world despite the fact that we are beyond dog shit. Glazers ain’t going anytime soon and that’s a painful truth

[@mktf5582]

Oh but they will, because if they don't cash in now they won't get that chance again if things don't improve and 4 siblings want out, plus debts/family net worth simply not rich enough they cannot afford utd anymore = mick ruby/balil yogi explain.

[@JohnD-qn6st]

The season is effectively over, give the youngsters a chance including the final

[@BangBangUnited]

I would do exactly that if I was him...and try to give some of these injured players some minutes before the cup final

[@u-Dramatic_avocado5867]

And if we lose badly? “These young players are rubbish, sell the lot and raise £20mil”

[@martindonnelly3654]

Great video Stephen and spot on, but Ten Hag has tried to fix the culture, from reigning in Sancho, to running them in to the ground after performing like shite. Yet here we are again, players have downed tools (I include those on the injury list) and we are talking about Ten Hag having to go. This time please, make sure the players go and give Ten Hag a chance under the new structure

[@mesoanarchy]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏!!!

[@SFM35.8]

spot on

[@lmq9516]

If the players had downed tools we would be in a relegation scrap. Lazy analysis.

[@thesoultwins72]

@@lmq9516 ......It is people like you that are lazy - and deluded. Man Utd's current 'form' [based totally on results] is the worst in the Premier League and absolutely 'relegation level'. There has been one 'constant' during this past 13 years and a succession of 5 [and soon to be 6?] managers - the players! And nothing will change until Man Utd get these under-performing prima donnas out.

[@SC-it3kd]

All Sir Jim will do if he is successful is increase the value of the Glazers asset and make it harder for them to be taken out of the club. Hate to say it but its genius by the Glazers really

[@mktf5582]

Nope they are not geniuses, 4 of the other paras.tes want to cash in/get huge money which they won't if they don't sell now, any dividends will be less now given they had to sell shares, so only chance now for big money is to sell.

[@sandygilmour5444]

That's interesting maybe SJR is making the club pish before he buys the windows out.

[@PoundlandPELE_007]

How do we consider best in class at manager level? Angelotti, Pep, Klopp, Zidane….etc. Probably not for various reasons. So who? It has to be an “up and comer” AND they have to be given what they really believe that they need. We’ve got one and he needs more than he’s been given so far, let alone the 95% fit team issue that he also needs.

[@thesmithsnerd]

It’s the character in the dressing room, that’s all it comes down to. Of course the manager isn’t showing great signs, of course the off field stuff doesn’t help, but it’s the character in the dressing room, we’ve let it fester too long, there’s no leadership, you can imagine Bruno & Rashford running things, spreading their whining vibes, Rashford spreading his moody toxicity, and they’re free from reprimand because they’re the most senior. There will be young kids in there that see through it, that have the right stuff, but can’t speak up, any decent young character in the dressing room probably gets suppressed by the toxic seniority. You need to weed it out, no mercy, get rid of the Rashford’s & Bruno’s. Anyone who’s played sport to a high level, or just has their own set of personal standards within their own lives or jobs, can see those two are the problem, it doesn’t even come down to football, it comes down to character reading and just knowing people, get those two out the club.

[@thesmithsnerd]

+ of course 90% of the squad needs to go, but they need to go on lack of talent alone, pure lack of ability, they can wait. First off, you need to gut the bad apples, those that are rotting the club from inside the dressing room.

[@seb1554]

Absolutely mate. I’m sure most of us have worked with toxic colleagues before at some point. I am convinced that’s why every player we sign turns out bad despite being a good talent before they came here.

[@user-w29-vfwh59vd]

You're absolutely right about the lack of leadership in the dressing room and the toxicity of senior players like Rashford. I firmly believe that he thinks he is untouchable because of his seniority, he thinks the club won't dare to sell him so he allows himself to do the minimum effort on the pitch, whine on the ground when someone brushes his socks and score 1 goal every 15 games thinking it's enough to silence fans who are fed up with him. He needs to be sold. Also Bruno has been an awful captain. He whines at refs, his own players and himself. I get why ETH chose him to be captain, he is hardworking on the pitch, and this influences other players to do the same sometimes. But a team captain's role is much more than that. A captain must be the coach's delegate and the coach's voice on the pitch, he must know exactly how the coach want the team to play and who needs to do what, and he must giving directions to his teammates, reorganise the team, yell at teammates with authority when they make mistakes or to make them get back in position. He must be a leader! And he must be respected by every single player. You can't be respected when you're constantly whining. Bruno is not a good captain. There's currently no one in this team with the proper ability and character for that role. That said, the game against palace showed us how Bruno-dependent we are. Our midfield was completely lost without him, no energy, no pressing, no creativity. So can we afford to sell him right now?

[@thesmithsnerd]

@@user-w29-vfwh59vd Dependant on Bruno? United have lost 18 games in all comps this season… Bruno started in 17 of them. If you’re going to attribute the loss to Palace to Bruno’s absence, then attribute the other 17 defeats to his presence. United won’t miss him at all. This is his 4th full season and he’s about to finish 6th or worse for the second time, he’s about to captain us to our worst ever season in Premier League history. I rate most of your take, but this idea that we can’t afford to lose Bruno doesn’t make sense. He’s 30 and not won a thing in his entire career.

[@user-w29-vfwh59vd]

@@thesmithsnerd you might have a point there. It just struck me against Palace how lost our midfield was without him and how we lacked creativity. We lost most of these games this season because we can't defend our lead. We don't have a good CDM to close down players and stop counters, attacking players don't help enough in defence, and our back four has been a joke all season because of injuries and lack of skills. Offensively we weren't too bad. This team can score. And I think Bruno's creativity has been instrumental in many of the goals we scored, including the games we lost (because in most of them we still scored 2 or 3). He is currently our best scorer (15) and he has the most assists (11). He's had a few awful performances but overall this season he has been good and his absence was felt against Palace. He's just not a good captain.

[@Lioris13]

Spot on Ste, as always

[@neilthornton3544]

The worst example of player power was when ole said rashford should focus on his game without distraction and before his next press conference he had to make a public apology. The fact that rashford had boardroom access so quickly was toxic to manager authority

[@StephenC1908]

Rashford owns Manchester United

[@Eee-cm4bv]

link?

[@mundolioknows6447]

Stop making up bullshit stories, they're pathetic.

[@mundolioknows6447]

Bullshit

[@darshanpatel9018]

Rashford has to go! He is only player besides Shaw who has been here since Van Gaal era ! I feel he has a big locker room influence and has to go to change the locker room mentality

[@obi5664]

Do we even think Pep would be able to work with these lot of players that we have. He’s absolutely going to boot a lot of them out. For how long are we going to blame the coach? Easy scape goat. This club needs a top down approach which has started. Won’t be easy but it’s a process.

[@brianeamens6135]

Yeah in first season 2nd season hewont be so lucky

[@lalrinpuia_tlau]

A culture spearheaded by a banker who didn't care about the results on the football pitch👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@owaisnaseerSyed]

Those who are in the team of "TEN HAG OUT", Listen to me changing managers after every one or two seasons will not bring glory to this club, This is the same manager who kicks the ass off every footballing elite with AJAX - May be this seasons is not his season but you give him the freedom he will provide the results, The fans, the supporter, I want. GGMU forever!

[@akashpaul6891]

completely agree ste, my only issue is most of the INEOS team wont be in place til after the summer like ashworth

[@simonrourke1978]

Another great video, Ste. I don’t envy the job INEOS have, trying to make the level of changes needed will take years. Lots of small wins but there are so many variables involved. If they sack Ten Hag and get in Tommy Tuchel who would bet against us being in the exact same position this time next year with largely the same squad as we’re not getting rid of more than 3 or 4 players this year. Will be an interesting next few months!

[@adamstannard7934]

Alot of the fans of this club deserve southgate as manager. Really give them something to moan about.

[@davetaylor4741]

Honest and accurate summation. Straight along the lines of what I have been writing for ages. No good talking a good fight if you can't fight. We need to see action from INEOS. They are sorting the back room boys. Fine. Summer window is on us. The club is broken. It is the team and the manager that take the limelight. It is the players the fans follow. Myself as a fan wants to see progress. Some official information from the club. Ten Hag booted. Our new manager will be X. The squad needs a fire sale. These are the players up for sale. We are currently in talks with XYZ. Instead there is silence. Journos putting out banner headlines. Ten Hag's replacement is. Based on nothing more than hearsay. I can wait for a rebuild. We are not going to be at the top again for a while. We have fallen too far. But I want to see progress. Know something is happening. I still believe we will be getting to the end of the transfer window with our trousers down. Wishing we had done this that and the other. But done little to nothing.

[@andybell369]

Brilliant show as always Stephen

[@Jonas_Shepard]

the destination talking point with the Evans and even Eriksen photo on screen is so skkexed and wrong. (should have been Cassemiro, Martial or Varane IMO

[@brianeamens6135]

Current culture @utd. Sack management after 2 seasons then the cycle goes again let's stick with the current management yeah current campaign isn't looking good but neither was Mourinho, van Gaal, Solskjaer 2nd season and let's see if Ten Hag can work with the new backroom staff.

[@Rock-Steady]

How's the foot after the Fan Dance? 4 hours 10 mins with a light bergan can be done. Dig in mate. Good luck 👍🏽 wdw

[@XVEthanVX]

The person I’m most excited about being connected to us now is Jean-Claude blanc hopefully can get stuff changed at the club

[@Givin_it_a_go]

You talk a lot of sense mate 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@davemack]

I believe Monday’s center back pairing was our 14th combination this season

[@andrewtomlinson5237]

Nah it was at least our 19th in the league, I stopped keeping track a few weeks ago at around 17, and that was before Casemiro started playing CB. Fuck knows how many it is if you start adding in the other tournaments... Well over 20.

[@davemack]

Wow! Are you talking about the whole back 4 or just the central 2? @@andrewtomlinson5237

[@DylanN44]

If it was a few performances here and there where we were bad, while still doing decently well I think EtH would still be good for it, but having horrible performances from mid pre season in the manner we have it’s just too big of a job for him. Injuries or not, he should change something up in training or tactics to at least have us not concede so many shots. Who’s to say that won’t be the case when everyone is fit? It’s reached that turning point where it just seems like a bridge too far for him to keep the job

[@henkkas2698]

what INEOS must change is the players. yes ten hag aint good enough probably and woodward was shait but these same damn players (some less some more) have been here for last 4-5 managers always ending up with same result. so PLAYERS needed to be changed.

[@FMSULLY]

There is so much deadwood not just in the playing squad but coaching, medical and recruitment staff. The club needs to be turned upside down from top to bottom. It's going to take more than 1 or 2 years to complete this. Making the manager the scapegoat of this is a massive issue.

[@andrewdickinson1981]

We have around 30 scouts on the books but we haven't signed anyone out of left field. We've got lazy with first team recruitment, just buying ready made. They have to do their job. If each got 3 players for a single position we'd have a list a mile long of potential targets. This would then give us options instead of overpaying on one target all the time. We have to be prepared for the next few windows to just say NO and walk away. It's the only way clubs will know we are not just going to bend over again and again.

[@mundolioknows6447]

I'm guessing you cut n paste this comment from 5 years ago. Since ten hag joined we mostly sign his former players, players from his agency or Dutch players.

[@tomryder2913]

Fucking everything

[@querkes]

You are absolutely right! United is a good store window for players. United is a big club that won. Having played for United is meritorious. But in recent years you won’t play there to win. You play for United because that’s a good advantage. But no winner has signed for United over the past 4-5 years. United is the largest club that has made the worst result of all major clubs in Europe. It’s embarrassing that fans talk about being a big club when you’re just the biggest club that’s been so embarrassing.

[@neilshaw5404]

Still embracing the mythology that City have two squads when they've actually got less players than United.

[@oscar12ty]

He said he pep HAD in the start, not currently. Idk either way though

[@bengreenbank]

Yeah City really don't have much depth these days. Even if absolutely everyone is fit it's Ake, Kovacic, Nunes, Doku, Alvarez, Rico Lewis, Akanji. Good players for sure but the idea they've got two amazing XI's is complete bollocks.

[@brandonbarnes783]

For some reason watching these videos about how bad united is makes the pain of this season hurt less.

[@predragtolmachev3883]

Ste I like your voice. If you commentated the PGA tour I might actually find golf interesting.

[@mesoanarchy]

LOVED the Barcelona/PED reference. Along with cyclists… see Rafael Nadal & Uncle Tony. Quiet as kept, Nadal dodged SO many piss tests it was a joke amongst people around tennis… and the ATP Tour just quit trying, in large part because Nadal was a HUGE cash cow for them.

[@thesoultwins72]

@mesonaechy......Firstly, I am a passionate cyclist and cycling fan and whilst I am not trying to defend the sport and its 'association' with PEDs - you have to consider that it is [by far!] the most 'tested' sport on the planet. In fact, it is through the efforts of the UCI [cycling's governing body] that the use of EPO and 'blood-doping' has been exposed and tests to reveal its usage were developed. However, and by 'law of averages' cycling is bound to produce the largest number of 'positives'. But I would challenge this by asking - what sport today [and in the past] hasn't been tarnished by drugs? From Horse-racing to snooker, boxing to swimming I would vehemently argue that no sport is 100% 'clean'! Arguably one of the worst offenders is the sport of Triathlon - where the use of PED's is absolutely rampant. The reason - there is ZERO testing! Yet you hardly ever hear of any triathletes being caught for using PED's. [I can't even think of one case!] It may also interest you to know that probably the most infamous 'druggie' ever - Lance Armstrong - began his sporting career as a triathlete and was well known for 'pushing' PED's at many triathlon events. But allow me to relate a true story to you as proof. In the early 1990's I left the UK for several months to travel the US. One day, I was in a mall in Santa Monica, LA having a coffee when I noticed this familiar-looking guy walking past. I couldn't believe my eyes as it was none other than the 'Voice of Cycling' himself, Mr Phil Liggett! Liggett is not only a passionate cyclist and an ex-professional, but practically single-handedly brought pro-cycling to attention of the British public through his coverage of the Tour de France on Channel 4 in the 1980's. He is also a respected sports journalist and writes a regular column for the Telegraph newspaper. But perhaps more importantly, Mr Liggett is a thoroughly decent human being and a bloody nice bloke as I found out! [I chased after him in the mall and persuaded him to join me for a coffee]. We ended up chatting for almost two hours and he seemed more interested to hear about me and my cycling exploits than talking about himself as most 'celebrities' usually do! He asked me about which cycling club I rode for in the UK, about my race results and any 'promising' riders I rode with or against. [he actually knew the names of several!] But I was itching to hear about him also. I asked him why he was in America and he replied that he was covering a race there for ESPN. He told me about the big European races and the top riders. He was absolutely fascinating. But then the conversation turned to dreaded topic of drugs in cycling. Like me, Mr Liggett also felt that although synonymous with drug use, cycling was very unfairly treated. Having said that, there is no doubt that as decent a person as Phil Liggett is, he was very 'naive' about drug use - and especially about Armstrong's involvement. That said, he then told me something that completely astonished me. He said that he and his team had been developing an article for the Telegraph newspaper on the use of drugs in professional tennis. [there had been a number of 'unsubstantiated' rumours circulating about top tennis players using both recreational and performance-enhancing drugs]. Indeed, you only had to look at the 'physiques' of some of the major women's players to realise that something strange was going on! Liggett paused briefly as he was clearly uneasy about revealing these things to me. But eventually, he continued. He told me that he and his team had uncovered conclusive evidence that a number of top tennis players were regularly using drugs. He added that the Telegraph were going to publish the article and expose the sport. Being interested in most sports I queried why I hadn't seen or heard anything about this. Liggett responded by asking me a question - 'Who are the patrons of the 'Queen's Club Championships' and the 'Eastbourne International' tennis tournaments? 'Who are the patrons of Roland-Garros and Monte Carlo Masters?' All of these world-famous events have strong affiliations with royalty. Liggett then added that there was 'no way' the Telegraph was going to publish a story about a sport that is supported by royals and the rich and famous but is being linked with drugs. Tennis is VERY well-connected. You only have to look at all the celebrities who attend Wimbledon to see that. [and it's the exactly the same with horse-racing, golf and formula 1]. I thanked Mr Liggett for his time and for chatting with me - as he went off to do his commentary for ESPN. But there is an interesting footnote to this. Several years later top tennis pros, Andre Agassi and Ivan Lendl admitted to using drugs. And a few years after that, Maria Sharapova was banned from tennis for two years for taking meldonium [she also confessed to having taken the drug for a number of years]. To repeat - no sport is totally clean. Cycling just gets a bad reputation because it tests the most and publicises the results.

[@bluepandasquad]

@@thesoultwins72 Sir this is a Wendy's

[@mesoanarchy]

@@thesoultwins72 - Thank you for your reasoned response. On cycling: the Liggett was definitely a pillar of the sport. Unfortunately, in Europe, the same man who “did” Nadal is the same man who “did” much of Spanish, Italians and French cyclists. My mother-in-law’s partner worked for a number of years in Armstrong’s Austin, TX bike shop. There was a “special trash container for his preparatory substance vials… all of which would get any athlete banned in any sport. Now, if you remember, Armstrong first admitted he used steroids after his testicle removal… that excuse carried him through his career. Again, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France were the primary offenders as far as I knew ( this knowledge comes from some discussions when I was writing sports investigative pieces and commentaries). As a former tennis player (ATP satellite events) I knew guy and women who “juiced”… and bet against themselves. Besides Nadal, Novak Djokovic has used PEDs from early in his career all the way through to, I gather, now. Without going farther, because of his behavior at his first main draw U.S. Open, I took a “special” interest. If he was willing to cheat an opponent who, off the court was said to be his best friend, I figured his sense fairness depends on which way the wind blows… turns out I was right. And PEDs is but one thing in a laundry list he’s, ummm “repurposed” to fit the narrative of his entire tennis life. Anyway, I could go on for awhile (an fyi: Barry Bonds did not use PEDs - that knowledge and all that lay behind the “need” for him to be spotlighted actually hurt any meaningful, dollar-wise, career in sports journaliism for me… oh well).

[@michaelbeesley2955]

Maybe we are finding out who in the squad is physically capable at playing at an elite level..? Perhaps only Bruno, dalot, gnarnacho and mainoo are the only ones in the whole squad who is and recruitment must ensure incoming players are physically at that level too.

[@redjohn1958]

Not seen a clearly style of play under Ten Hag and agree we need hungry up and coming players and get rid of the deadwood that is still there.

[@drod1747]

This season got me so depressed to watch united man 😢

[@drod1747]

@@roughwalkers since 07, long enough I would say

[@BangBangUnited]

So not the last 8 seasons? typical fan's short term memory at work

[@drod1747]

@@BangBangUnited did we finish any lower than we are now? Am i supposed to write every single disappointment i’ve had in one comment? Write your own comment instead of replying to mine. Typical modern fan trying to discredit another fan’s opinion.

[@BangBangUnited]

@@drod1747 yooooo...sorry man...I get it,we are all depressed but please don't tell me who I can reply to....alright?

[@drod1747]

@@BangBangUnited fair enough,respect goes both ways though

[@roywall8169]

I agree, the culture of winning has been absent since Sir Alex.

[@Rontheebaptist]

The players can be too influential and not that good, but the manager can also be not that good and have made several poor calls. They are not mutually exclusive and both can be true at the same time.

[@ianbentley6906]

Yes ste' and thats what ineos are in the process of doing stopping player power you heard it here first

[@1colinb]

For me as a supporter one serious issue that these type of common sense analyses aren't seen or heard by the club's hierarchy. Chaos reigns but the front office carries on regardless.

[@PeterSodhi]

Hey guys just thinking of creative solutions - how about if the players drink a bottle of Glazers piss through an straw before each game? We need to start thinking outside of the box!

[@febian1529]

INEOS already have appoint good structure above the coach but why we still get related with tuchel who Cleary had fight with every DOF from his time in Dortmund to PSG to Chelsea and now in munchen??? If INEOS think Tuchel is the right man to work under structure then INEOS maybe the same worst as Glazers And why if we now has the best best structure (the best in class) then INEOS still think about southgate who Cleary not good enough coach even for championship side? INEOS need to prove alot of thing this summer.

[@d741000]

So true. If you can't put in the effort that Garnacho put in playing the f.a. cup semi against them. We don't want you. You might have tricks and flicks. We need heart and desire to go with that. Otherwise, piss off collecting your thousands for putting in minimum effort.

[@Zeppelin180]

How do you know they’re not already talking to managers?

[@sandygilmour5444]

10 Hag phone numbers brilliant 😂😅😢

[@shortie77]

We've got young hungry players who love playing for us.. the problem is WE MOLLY CODDLE our "teenage" players while other clubs step up and put them in.. we hold on to "teenagers" till they're first team players or we sell them cheap before giving them a chance... that's why we will not thrive till we adapt and overcome and trusting young players, till then we are fucked

[@khustangcupe9640]

Sell Sancho and Rashford and break the bank for Vinicious Jr. He can help Garnacho reach his heights. On the left i would let Pelistry and Antony go and bring the fan favorites Olise. Keep Amrabat but get other two midfield players

[@harrydavid8333]

You know what might be a good idea for a video or article. Sit down with an experienced football physio, sports scientist or club doctor and run down what are the top 3, 4 or 5 causes of an injury crisis in a football team, and then try and speculate as to which one might be applicable to Manchester United.

[@mesoanarchy]

There is no training culture at United now… because the Glazers refused to pay for the trainer ten Hag wanted to bring in. Now, Eric ten Hag, knowing HIS want to play a certain way juuust might place different physical demands on players… I mean, who would know better than him? So, does anyone think he wanted to bring in his trainer because -power move? Vanity project? Stupidity/incompetence? BUT. In their infinite wisdom (after all, we now know Joel Glazer demanded and got the final yea or nay over player recruitment!) the Glazers refused ten Hag’s request. Wonder if that was part of ten Hag saying he cannot play the style he wants with the players on United’s roster? Wonder if the lack of a trainer who knows the ins and outs of ten Hag’s on-pitch needs has anything to do with the historic number of injuries United has incurred? I wonder when the VAST majority of blame for what has happened since Alex Ferguson and has seemed to age like a piece of bread left out for over 15 years and is now SO toxic breathing in the air around it can cause serious health damage, has FINALLY come to a head… and Eric ten Hag is just the unlucky soul who had to be the public face of just around the corner from 2 decades of the once pillar of the Premier League being publicly bled out? Last thing: where is that value for the money spent on player signings??? In the Glazers “Assets” portion of their balance sheet under the subhead, “Merchandise Sales/Profits.”

[@BangBangUnited]

this post needs a lot more likes dammit!!!!

[@carlvanlife]

As united fans we really are spoilt from the past we're still in the top half of the Premier league, just wait for the players that cause this shite to be gone & stick with EtH & yes he isnt perfect but hes better than the rest out there with what we've got right now, just look where the teams are that we were great when united were great that fell even further from grace & aint even in the Prem no more, lets let ineos do its thing & not become like scummy Chelsea fans binning off managers faster than they can decide whats for breakfast in the morning. My personal preference is bring in the class of 92 or even some ex captains as coaches that dont coach football but mentality so when the team comes to getting picked they can pass on who aint worth shit & bench them also get them on the touchline for games so when heads drop they can scream across the pitch to lift theyre chin or come & warm a seat up & let a youth prospect do there job as they aint doing it, i hope we play against our under21s & get done over by them atm to show how shit the first team has become

[@MartialFitness656]

Standards they need standard, sell anyone who is t good enough apart from the likes of Evan’s, someone who knows he isn’t going to start but has the knowledge, the mentality to pass on to youngsters and can play a game here and there whilst being solid.

[@raymondmassie4898]

The fact that Evans played on Monday despite not being passed fit tells you about his character - we need a lot more of that at this club

[@dericknkansah9240]

INEOS should back Ten hag and sell most of the players including Rashford. We've had enough of the managers sacking. Its time for players as well.

[@danielberry4765]

Ten Hag has already been backed to the tune of 450m yet we play like an amateur team.

[@jamesroberts6370]

Why should we back him again?😂

[@riichobamin7612]

65 injuries ​@@danielberry4765

[@riichobamin7612]

​@@jamesroberts6370 because expecting a manager to win the league in his 2nd season, with 65 incidents of injuries, is stupid.

[@damonetaylor8602]

U guys keep saying to back the manager but look at the 11 that played against palace. 7 of the 11 were signed by him directly and 2 were brought through the academy by him. So 9 of the 11 r his signings but we should keep giving home more money to spend? Of all the players that r out injured only 3 r his signings. So again if we r relying on the players we already had, who r so awful, instead of the ones HE BOUGHT, why give him more money????

[@ianbentley6906]

Id bring ollie in to work with ten hag just for the final hes got peps number

[@CythereaEressea]

Culture will never change when you have players like Rashford setting examples like he did this season.

[@TezTezTezTezTez]

I can honestly say this is the 1st season as a United fan since 1989 that I've not been arsed watching us play, we are a laughing stock.

[@roywall8169]

The players need to be changed as well as the coaching staff. Basically the entire organization needs a deep cleaning.

[@JakeDriver]

The big thing for me is hopefully we can finally stop clubs rinsing us, Non of this Antony for 100 million bollocks anymore. Zero issues with paying big money for big talent but fuck me we've bought some right dross for eye watering prices over the years.

[@user-ob7qg4jt6n]

What plan can you have when you are down to the bear bones? It makes me laugh last year was ten hag style this year we have been left with c team 3,5 years rebuild take not 2 years all the same players are still here sjr need full clearance of players🎉🎉

[@mundolioknows6447]

For a start he could manage their fitness better. And if we are missing key players, adapt the tactics to get results. Don't just keep playing direct football every single game. It doesn't work and it adds to injuries.

[@bengreenbank]

The reason he's down to the 'bear' bones is because he completely fucking wasted 400m with his atrocious talent ID. Against Palace we had Onana 50m, Casemiro 70m, Mount 60m, Antony 90m, Hojilund 70m all on the field as well as 3x free transfer he identified. Imagine if instead of the complete shite he picked we had. A keeper actually worth 50m. A DM worth 70m A number 10 worth 60m. A RW worth 90m. A ST worth 70m. And a few smartly identified free transfers (yes, they do exist look at Kovacic, Thuram for example). We should have 3-4 world class starting players from that bunch and a few other good players too. We should comfortably have the quality in the squad to beat Palace even with injuries. Instead he's wasted 400m on mostly total shite and our squad looks/is terrible as a result. ETH is a massive part of the problem.

[@user-ob7qg4jt6n]

@FartherKarras is that not down to the bord and not ten hag

[@mundolioknows6447]

@@bengreenbankstop pointing out facts! It confuses the 'fans' that get their opinions from social media cesspits.

[@verum-in-omnibus1035]

So, Ste - What do you expect Ten Hag to do with players being out for a combined 350 games in a season? You've consistently downplayed the impact of injuries on this season

[@jaserogers997]

"Righty then ... [insert content about us being shit]"

[@3chords490]

I’m bored of feeling ashamed to be a United fan. I just want to see my team compete properly.

[@ianbentley6906]

How do you know ineos aren't doing that

[@danielfarr7093]

Id presume the structure coming in to United under Ineos/SJR are going to change and fix all of this. Even if they’re average at all of this there should be an improvement at United. I back ETH but even if he’s replaced this summer or next the next manager needs time as well as be ambitious. We’re all presuming the powers that be are definitely working on multiple plans and options for all levels of recruitment players and managers alike. Obviously itll get fleshed out when the CEO and DOF comes in, and then their accompanying staff. Probably won’t see anything really settled for a year but it should be substantial.

[@derekibison6644]

This is all just Karma. Think about 98-2007 and the fun we had a city’s expense. Joe Royles head, salt n pepper, the odometer, massive club, 3007, running the clock down at the corner flag, the three stars above the crest, Curley Watts, the silver anniversary, League one. Happy days but payback time now. Just got to suck it up.

[@stephenharris5519]

I forgot about the running the clock down relegation 😂😂😂 That’s made my day.

[@devashanpillay1738]

We need to keep greenwood and sancho. Eth can't work with talented united players. Sancho leaves and gets some play time and is finding some form. Greenwood was out for a long time and looks like he hasn't missed much.

[@MrUdayright]

Manchester United owner Rashford decides everything.

[@mundolioknows6447]

...according to the 'We hate Rashford Club' that only exists in online chat forums.

[@bman6414]

Then need to scout players that aren't going to be on 200k a week automatically. Players come to United these days for one reason.

[@fliptab1244]

Imagine being the captain in a game where you are forced on a boat. The boat, however, has holes in it and water slowly enters the boat. With the boat comes 1 bucket and a crew to help you get the water out and row the boat. You slowly start your journey across the ocean. Everything is going smooth for now but danger is right around the corner. The waves crash against the boat and members of your crew are being taken by mother nature. One after another drowns. The remaining crew members are exhausted, the burden is too high. Doing the job of multiple people while facing bad weather has not only exhausted them, but crushed their beliefs of making it across. If you haven't guessed. The boat is the wreck that is Manchester United and the captain is Erik ten Hag.

[@FStarNumber3]

Will never understand why people say 'with a quickness' when 'quickly' is much quicker.

[@Ligerpride]

There has been a burgeoning trend of native English speakers picking up broken or poor English as they hear these phrases being spoken by those where English is not their first language. Football is more guilty of this than most other things. A good example of this is "football speak", where people use phrases they'd never use anywhere else and surely don't understand the meaning of. For example, I've heard Gary Neville repeatedly use the phrase that a person is "in a bad moment". That reeks of Mourinho or broken English. Then there's phrases such as "finished with aplomb" and other such expressions.

[@amfitness5598]

If they sack ETH for Southgate I’m done with this club.

[@akinpeluolalekan2789]

THIS IS SO CONCISE!!!!

[@BangBangUnited]

Clearly Ste has a lot of faith in the new "owners"....All I see is the same old weak management of the club....People need to realize these people are here to make money and they know win or lose the club will make them money because of us the fans...Noting will change untill the Glazers and their mates leave, but we all know that will never happen, they got the perfect Cash Cow in their pockets!!

[@verum-in-omnibus1035]

Why are you panicking? Us Utd fans need to get a hold of ourselves... we're not entitled to trophies. We need to get back to that culturally and operationally. It takes times. Effing relax and back the manager

[@caniz80]

I think utd should just forget FFP and suffer a points deduction or fine instead of the excuses.

[@michaelackwellcollins8740]

How changing the "culture" of sacking the manager and keeping the players hey. Ferguson in the 88/89 season lost 13 league games and lost 16 league games in 89/90 season. We gotta back Ten Haag and allow him to get rid of these deadwood players and bring in his 1st choices in May and June not in the last 2 weeks of August. You talk about best in class, which best in class manager is out there if we was to sack Ten Haag? If we get a new manager and keep these players, I'll guarantee that we'll be back here again in 2 years time moaning

[@amarhussain445]

Let’s give it to Bielsa

[@matthewjames7268]

The manager has to go ! His refusal to change tactics shows his either too stubborn or doesnt know how .... we've been fucking shocking all season , not dominating one full single game.... obviously most of the player's aren't good enough & need to he shipped out but when the manager can't fix tactial problems he's got to go .

[@BringBackOle]

Ten hag is partly to blame for those injuries

[@StephenC1908]

You're not allowed to blame Ten Hag for anything big little or small

[@mundolioknows6447]

It's not like the manager spent £400m on transfers, chose his own coaches, decides the training sessions, chooses the tactics and picks the team lol

[@BangBangUnited]

@@mundolioknows6447 most of the coaches he found here...he came in with 4 or 5 of his coaches

[@BangBangUnited]

please elaborate

[@mundolioknows6447]

@@BangBangUnited ONLY 4 or 5??? Lol how many does he need for 25 players?

[@SeanBotha]

Only must thing is a new manager

[@oscar12ty]

What about all the other times? There is clearly other problems at the club

[@danielholt1984]

Again. Don't you learn?

[@user-fb4yc1qv2o]

At this point i'll be more happy if we ditch our first team and let all youth players play instead. It will make no difference if they dont win as our first team cant win either

[@philbertb]

Don't want to be the Real Madrid Retirement Club any longer!

[@keithstitt9532]

Fair points. Club is a joke. That lad Tommy Tickles, don't talk him up or United will be offering him a contract. 😉😀

[@mundolioknows6447]

He said he's not interested. He'll end up staying at Bayern because no more NE seems to want to go there.

[@paulfrancis9129]

When Southgate takes over you'll realise Ineos are completely out of their depth.

[@TrigTrag24]

We've got to stick with the manager, back the manager till the end that's supposed to be the United way

[@raymondmassie4898]

If you look back at our history pre Fergie, we went through several managers after Sir Matt - none got more than 5 years I’d say. Wilf McGuiness, Frank O’Farrel, Dave Sexton, Tommy Doc, Big Ron - none of them got 10 years to finish ‘a project’ SAF changed all that but before him, we did sack managers - that was the United way

[@TrigTrag24]

@@raymondmassie4898 and that was a ,Ore barren spell for us... also how many of them only got 2 years and won a title

[@raymondmassie4898]

@@TrigTrag24 absolutely none

[@TrigTrag24]

We need to stick with Eric, this club needed open heart surgery and he's busy conducting it yes it looks ugly now but his just started what do we expect. When he was brought in everyone was preaching time and patience where has that gone? I'm not even talking about the historic number of injuries look at Liverpool and Arsenal, Klopp took 4 seasons before he had his first title challenge in fact he finished 8th and 4th his first two seasons and didn't win a trophy so ten hag is already ahead. Arteta the fans wanted out cause they were livid in fact last season they weren't even in Europe how dumb would it be to say they should've sacked him then knowing now what we know. He is the best man for the job but it's a project its gonna take time so let's give it to him I'm not saying we can't be critical or worried about what we're seeing but 2 seasons is not enough to sack him over especially when his resume could read 2 seasons 1 carabao Cup 2 FA Cup final appearances a 3rd place finish and an 8th place finish

[@ShahulHaq]

currently these players are overpaid and unless we get rid of the zero performing and highly paid players nothing is going to change

[@cameronjones8641]

Fucking everything. The End.

[@brian8066]

get rid of the rubbish, bring back Kieran Mckenna and start using the best of the youth players with a few really good signings.

[@paulsmith3026]

Southgate?

[@oz7996]

Can't see any way Ten Hag survives this season it has been awful.

[@spacecowboy3850]

I do not trust the rat… and neither should any UTD, I say let’s wait and see what him and his minions plans are after the cup final. I like Howson but he’s just setting fans up for more emotional torture.

[@MichaelEnright-gk6yc]

Looks like Sir Jim is changing everything from the ground up. Starting with the office culture. Player power sack all culprits. Move on.