PETER SCHMEICHEL has insisted Manchester United have five leaders to marshal the troops on the pitch – but has slammed them for not stepping up against Arsenal.
The Red Devils looked meek as they fell to defeat against Mikel Arteta’s side, meaning they have failed to win their first four home games of the season.
United legend Schmeichel says he believes the club do have leadersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
United legend Schmeichel, 56, is not happy with five ‘leaders’ who he said failed to ‘step up’ – and compared the current squad unfavourably to the team he played in where ‘everyone was a leader’.
The ex-goalkeeper identified Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, David De Gea, Bruno Fernandes and Victor Lindelof as United’s chiefs – but was left unimpressed by them all.
He told BeIN Sports: “We played in a time when everyone was a leader. That has all changed. You don’t see as many of those types of people any more.
“But I think [Bruno] Fernandes looks like a leader. Harry [Maguire] is a leader. Of course he’s a bit hurt from what he experienced over the summer.
“I know David [De Gea] doesn’t look like it, but he’s a leader as well. I think from what we saw today as well that it’s quite evident that [Victor] Lindelof is a leader.
“I was in Paris for the game against PSG and watching that game up close with no crowd, you can hear people.
“Rashford talks a lot. Marcus came through the academy and he’s a young player. But he’s challenged the Prime Minister, his petition has got more than 1 million signatures. He’s a leader.
“So I’m not saying Manchester United don’t have any leaders, but today they didn’t step up.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second-half penalty was enough for Arsenal to claim their first win at Old Trafford since 2006.
The hosts showed much endeavour but lacked cutting edge – far cry from their stunning performance against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
Schmeichel wasn’t the only former United legend who was left cold by the defeat.
Roy Keane feared that the player’s would get Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the sack with more performances like the one from yesterday.
Keane told Sky Sports: “Ole will pay the ultimate price. Ole will lose his job working with this group of players as sure as night follows day.
“We all like Ole, he’s a decent guy, but he will be under no illusion that the pressure now will be building the longer this goes on.
“I never thought United would get anywhere near Liverpool or Manchester City, forget that, but at this rate they are in no race. They are just drifting.
“We were kind of building this season up to be make or break for Ole. At this moment in time it’s not looking good for him.”
Keane’s former midfield partner Paul Scholes also took aim at the players, particularly Scott McTominay and Fred.
He accused the pair of ‘playing as centre halves, not central midfield players’ and said they lacked ‘quality.’
Man Utd legend Roy Keane slams Edinson Cavani’s work ethic and questions whether he even warmed up vs Arsenal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
