Amidst the club’s recent troubles, Gary Neville thinks young players in the Manchester United dressing room might find it difficult to identify who is leading the group.
Despite having won two and drawn one of their previous three Premier League games, United’s terrible start to the season has kept them eight points outside of the top four.
After placing last in their Champions League group, Erik ten Hag’s team is now out of Europe entirely, meaning their only realistic chance to win a trophy is in the FA Cup.
Bruno Fernandes, United’s captain, has also been under fire for allegedly lacking leadership among his team members.
Numerous young players, such as Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho, and academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo, are on their current squad.
Gary Neville has admitted that young players in Manchester United’s dressing room may find it hard to tell who is leading the group
Bruno Fernandes is United’s captain, though has at times received criticism for his leadership
Neville was a member of several winning United teams with a variety of capable captains.Neville, however, stated that it would be challenging for young players to enter United’s dressing room when he was interviewed for the Stick to Football podcast, which is brought to you by Sky Bet.
“The dressing room you enter as a young player and the influence and standard bearers in the dressing room are huge factors,” he stated.
“These [Manchester United] boys who have developed over the past five to eight years are examples of young međťš— who have a good chance if they develop at Liverpool or Manchester City. If you’re a player at United right now, though, you’re probably wondering who’s in charge of that dressing room.”
Neville played for United alongside notable players including Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes, and podcast co-star Roy Keane. During Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure, the club was frequently commended for having a large number of leaders on the team.
Keane’s leadership was warmly received, and Neville noted that at 26, he was exactly Marcus Rashford’s age when he really cemented his dominance in the United locker room.
Neville continued, “Roy Keane only really began to take on the role of being the main inspirational figure at Manchester United at the age of 26.”
“Marcus Rashford’s personality and character are nothing like Roy Keane’s.”
Rashford’s actions have drawn criticism following his 12-hour tequila binge during a night out in Belfast.
Speaking on the podcast as well, Jamie Carragher stated that Rashford must “lead and show character” in a different manner than Keane.
“Someone like Steven Gerrard—a player entirely different from Rashford,” Carragher remarked.
Stevie demonstrated leadership with his entire ability and the respect he received from the other players. This is someone like myself who would be yelling and screaming at people, at the referee and other players.
“I’m not suggesting that Rashford should yell at everyone; rather, his demeanor should shift and align with what you want to see in a leader.”