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London — Manchester United have assured disgruntled fans that the club’s priority is success on the pitch rather than making money, saying they are committed to “winning trophies at the highest level”.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s struggling team lost 2-0 at West Ham on Sunday to fall 10 points behind leaders Liverpool after just six Premier League games.
United, who have been criticised for their focus on commercial success despite faltering performances, are languishing in eighth spot in the league, three points adrift of a top-four position.
They have not won the Premier League since 2013 and did not qualify for this season’s Champions League.
At a fans’ forum before the side’s 1-0 home victory against Leicester earlier this month, one of the concerns raised was the club’s apparent failure to attract top talent and the link with the recent lack of success.
In its response the club acknowledged that recruitment was crucial.
“We are committed to getting this right and there has been huge investment in this area to put our recruitment department into a position to be able to deliver the manager the players he wants,” the minutes of the meeting said.
“This process is significantly more effective than four to five years ago.”
United, who spent around £145 million on signing Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James in the summer transfer window, said the club would continue to invest.
“Everyone at the club, from the owners down, is focused on competing for and winning trophies at the highest level,” the club said. “To do that, we have invested heavily in the playing squad and will continue to do so.
“At the same time, the exciting pool of talent coming through from our youth and academy sections is a result of increased investment in this area over the last five years.
“It’s important to note that while our successful commercial operation helps drive that investment, the priority is the focus on achieving success on the pitch. Similarly, it is worth noting that we are not looking at or buying players based on their commercial appeal.”
Meanwhile, Roy Keane spared no punches in his assessment of Manchester United after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.
United slipped to a demoralising loss at the London Stadium, stretching their winless run on the road to seven Premier League matches.
They also face an anxious wait for the results of a scan on Marcus Rashford’s groin after their last striker standing limped off.
It was a lifeless display against the Hammers, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer maintained after the match that he has “a good group to work with”.
Keane, though, was less positive about United and he thinks Solskjaer will be “fuming” inside.
Keane on whether the United players have enough characters in their side, Keane told Sky Sports: “Ole’s answers are ‘I think so’. Listen, I’ve known Ole a long time, he’s one of the nicest lads you will ever meet, and I can tell just by looking at his eyes that he’s fuming, that he’s disgusted.
“Like any manager he’s going to come out to try and defend his team. I always think the proof is in the pudding, managers can back their team all they want, but it’s all about what they do on the pitch when the referee blows that whistle.
“We didn’t see that today. We’re talking about Manchester United here. You look at the first goal, it’s all about the basics of football, closing people down, sprinting to people, it summed up Manchester United at the moment.
“There’s a lack of quality, a lack of goal threat. To me, the young boy James has come in and they’re almost depending on him trying to win them the game, he’s a young boy coming in from Swansea. He’s still learning his trade but they’re hanging their hat on him.
“Rice and Noble, they ran the midfield today and were excellent and I feel for Ole. I think his head must be spinning.
“When you’ve played for the club, there’s always that little bit of loyalty and you appreciate the history but the reality is, and I’ve been saying it for a couple of years, the number of times when I’ve watched Manchester United and they’re just not good enough.
“We can be critical of players, I’ll be critical of them if they don’t sprint and close people down, but a lot of these players aren’t good enough for Manchester United, it’s as simple as that, and we’ll be having the same conversation throughout the course of the season.
“They’re just not good enough and where do you start, where do you start with this team? They’ve brought in some players, that’s a bit of a start and it’s better than what they had, but then you watch it today and you’re thinking if they had different tops on, you wouldn’t think it’s Man United.
“The history and all that can only take you so far. They weren’t putting demands on each other today, you talk about the goalkeeper, Maguire, they’re experienced players and I think my head is spinning as well, I’ll be joining Ole! I don’t know where to start.” — AFP.
Online Reporter