LIVERPOOL legend Mark Lawrenson insists some Manchester United players have been so poor they are “stealing a living”.
United have endured a turbulent campaign that has seen them drop to eighth place in the Premier League table, plunging manager Erik ten Hag’s future into uncertainty.
Lawrenson, 66, agrees Ten Hag holds a lot of responsibility for the Red Devils’ struggles and believes there is a good chance they are the “worst coached team in the league”.
The pundit also predicted the ex-Ajax boss may be sacked if he loses the FA Cup final to rivals Manchester City on May 25 after an embarrassing 4-0 loss at Crystal Palace.
However, the former Match of the Day star is adamant the players haven’t helped the under-fire Dutchman at all.
In fact, the former defender believes some of them have been so poor they have done nothing to justify their wages.
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Lawrenson told Paddy Power: “I can understand why Jamie Carragher said Manchester United are the worst coached team in the league.
“But they probably are the worst coached team! When you think about, you know exactly how every team is going to play against you
and you know where their problems will be.
“The whole Manchester United thing just doesn’t ring true. I’d love to know what they do in training.
“I look at some of the players and they are just stealing a living – they really are.
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“They’ve not been helped by the manager but they’re stealing a living.
“If he gets beaten in the FA Cup final by Manchester City, he’s probably going to go but to be honest, in terms of where the team are, I just don’t get it.
“They’ve had loads of injuries, but you shouldn’t pick a team that is so open.
“Just pack it with four midfield players and make it difficult for the opposition.”
Inside Mark Lawrenson’s BBC exit
AXED Match of the Day pundit Mark Lawrenson slammed the BBC as “top of the woke league.”
Liverpool legend Lawrenson, 66, was one of the network’s top stars for three decades as he regularly appeared on Match of the Day and Football Focus.
But the former defender was dropped by the BBC when his last one-year rolling contract came to an end in 2022.
The ex-Republic of Ireland international previously claimed that he was dropped for being “65 and a white male”.
And lashing out at his exit, Lawrenson claimed the BBC has become a “woke” organisation.
The pundit feels the corporation loses “integrity day by day” and he also reckons the BBC is “totally frightened to death”.
He told the Ben Heath podcast: “Gone woke, it is top of the woke league. They are frightened to death, absolutely and totally frightened to death.
“You have seen the stuff with Gary Lineker and obviously people at the head of the BBC, I think day by day, I think the integrity of the corporation gets chipped off. It used to be absolutely fantastic but they are woke, plus 100 per cent.”
SunSport’s verdict on Man Utd flops
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have a busy summer ahead to get Man Utd’s squad in order for next season. Below SunSport gives it verdict on how they should deal with the Red Devils flops this summer.
Andre Onana – STAY: After a dodgy start at Old Trafford Onana has proven to be one of the more reliable members of the squad this season despite being peppered with shots constantly.
Altay Bayindir – GO: Reports in February suggested Bayindir was unhappy with his bit part role at Man Utd amid interest from Turkish giants Galatasaray. If profit can be made on a sale then it should be done.
Tom Heaton – STAY: Veteran goalkeeper Heaton, 38, is a reliable back-up and is on a relatively small wage at the club. So long as he is happy it makes sense to keep him.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – GO: Wan-Bissaka, 26, has never managed to make the right-back position his own. With his contract up in 2025 it makes sense to cash in now.
Diogo Dalot – STAY: Dalot, 26, has been one of Man Utd’s most consistent performers this season.
Raphael Varane – GO: If it wasn’t for his injury record there would be a strong shout to keep Varane, but costs need to be cut to allow the squad to be freshened up.
Harry Maguire – GO: Maguire has showed he has the right character to be at Man Utd but overall ability and desired profile are another matter, with Maguire too slow to play in a high line defence.
Lisandro Martinez – STAY: Martinez, 26, is second to none in terms of build up play. He needs a long-term defensive partner on the right side and to cut out the injuries which have plagued him this season.
Jonny Evans – GO: Veteran campaigner Evans could easily be on the stay list if he was only going to be a bit part player. But he has shown his advanced years at times this season.
Victor Lindelof – GO: Lindelof, 29, has been reliable if not unremarkable in his Man Utd career. He has one year left on his contract so should be moved on if a decent transfer fee can be got for him.
Willy Kambwala – STAY: He should be given the opportunity to mature for a few years behind a senior CB pairing before stepping into the first team as a starter or being moved on.
Luke Shaw – GO: One of the Premier League’s best left-backs when fit, Shaw has been a good servant when available. But alas that has been his Achilles heel once again this season.
Tyrell Malacia – STAY: Malacia, 24, was decent enough to earn some merit in his first season at Man Utd before injury ended his season and inadvertently led to his second season being a write off.
Sofyan Amrabat – GO: Amrabat, 27, looked like a world beater at the Qatar World Cup with Morocco. But he’s had an underwhelming season in England and his loan spell will almost certainly not be made permanent.
Casemiro – GO: An alarming physical decline has seen him turn from key star to burden. If a club is willing to buy the 32-year-old – who has two more years on his contract – then United should snatch their hand off.
Christian Eriksen – GO: Eriksen proved a useful asset and Ineos should look to bring in another player with similar traits, but frankly his legs have looked gone towards the end of this season.
Kobbie Mainoo – STAY: The first of the so-called untouchables, Mainoo has been a rare glimmer of hope in the Red Devils midfield this season.
Mason Mount – STAY: Mount can be given the benefit of the doubt until summer 2025 at least after a debut season riddled with injury.
Scott McTominay – STAY: McTominay, 27, has proven himself to be a brilliant plan B off the bench this season, and that is exactly why Ineos should look to keep him.
Bruno Fernandes – STAY: Man Utd’s best player since his arrival just over four years ago, Fernandes, 29, remains second-to-none when it comes to creating chances while his tenacity boosts those around him.
Antony – GO: There’s a case to argue that Antony may be the worst pound-for-pound signing in Premier League history. Despite some memorable moments he simply isn’t Man Utd quality.
Anthony Martial – GO: Ultimately Martial needs to be let go when his deal runs out this summer after an appalling injury record of late.
Marcus Rashford – STAY: As easy as it would be to say Rashford should leave the club this summer, it is difficult to look at the market and find many available players capable of scoring 30 goals a season.
Alejandro Garnacho – STAY: Another third of the untouchables trio, Garnacho has made the right-wing his own since coming into it. He’s a raw talent but has shown he has the quality to improve.
Rasmus Hojlund – STAY: A slow burner in his first Man Utd season, the 21-year-old has often been starved of supply which has led to him being unable to get the goals his movement and unselfish play often merits.
Amad Diallo – STAY: In the fleeting moments he has been on the pitch for Man Utd this season, Diallo has looked dangerous and exciting. He should be given a chance to flourish with some proper chances in the first team across a whole season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
