Tribal Football
·23 May 2022
Tribal Football
·23 May 2022
Erik ten Hag will have to get control of a "toxic" dressing room at Manchester United, it has been claimed.
The Manchester Evening News says the United squad has been described as a "toxic mix of backbiting and spitefulness" after a season to forget.
According to the report, "bully behaviour" has been directed towards interim head coach Ralf Rangnick, who was nicknamed "specs" by people close to one of the stars inside the dressing room.
Rangnick also had his decisions openly described as "bad" by one player, while others moaned about the German talking to them "like a child". They also suggested they "did not give a s****" about his advice.
Jesse Lingard's feelings on the state of the atmosphere inside the dressing room was laid bare by Paul Scholes during one media appearance, as he shared the winger's analysis that it was a "disaster". According to the report, Lingard was not fussed about the public sharing of his words.
It is also claimed that Lingard and Marcus Rashford were given no instructions whatsoever when they were sent on as substitutes during the 4-1 defeat by rivals Manchester City.
"They didn't have a f*****g clue what they were doing," was the assessment of one source.
The blame for such instances was placed at the door of American coach Chris Armas. Some within Carrington felt the 49-year-old was "out of his depth".
Playing time was another frustration among the squad. The lack of team ethos was illustrated by one player's desire to speak "disparagingly" of any other team-mate who was in his position.
There was also bewilderment surrounding the amount of game time handed to youngster Anthony Elanga. Some United team-mates described it as "mind-boggling".