Recently, former Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway had a quote that struck me deeply. He mentioned the attitude of the United players, which reminded me of the Ferguson era, when the club's interests were put first and the honour of the team was fought for. But now? Looking at Holloway's criticism, I have to admit that Manchester United's landscape really seems to have changed.
"They may have the skill, but they don't have the will," Holloway said. This sentence hit a sore spot in my heart. It's not enough to say about the skill of the Manchester United players, but where is that spirit of fighting for the team? The most heart-wrenching thing is that their performance on the field seems to tell the fans: "What's wrong with you? "It made me think that Manchester United's success was driven by the people who put the club first.
On the other hand, Henry Winter defended Marcus Rashford, stating that he became an easy target after he was spotted in a nightclub in Belfast. It made me wonder if we should understand the players better, after all, they are ordinary people. However, as players at Manchester United, they need to take on more responsibilities, especially on the pitch.
Holloway also referred to the recruitment strategy of the Ferguson era, where Ferguson almost never signed players with bad character. He knows how important a player's attitude is to the team. And now, looking at these players, I can't help but ask myself: what is wrong with the team's recruitment strategy? Could Ferguson wanting David Moyes to take over, but he hasn't been given enough time, is that also a reason for the team's current problems?
On Bruno Fernandes, Holloway said he should have led United on the pitch as captain, but he failed to do so. As a fan, I also expect our captain to step up in difficult moments and lead the team out of difficult situations. However, football is a team sport and should not be relied on by just one person.
Finally, while United won today, Holloway questioned the players' over-celebration of Newport's goal. I think it's necessary to celebrate the win, but it's more important to have a heart to fight for the club.
As a fan, I've always supported Manchester United, but I also want the team to reflect and get back to that spirit of fighting for glory. After all, Manchester United is more than just a team, it represents a spirit and culture. We need not only players with great skills, but also players with the right attitude and spirit. Hopefully, Manchester United can find their way back as soon as possible and bring more joy and glory to the fans.