Sir Jim Ratcliffe does not chop his words, that's for sure.
On Monday, the sub-owner of Manchester United dropped a verbal bullet that shivers in particular sent the spines of five players.
After mentioning Antony, Casemiro, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and Jadon Sancho as 'things from the past' and 'inherited' players, he admitted that some stars in the team are 'not good enough' and 'too much'. Later he added Lisandro Martinez to that list of players.
In other words: you see later. For some players anyway. Ratcliffe has been transparent that he sees Man United as a reconstruction project – quite literally in the case of Old Trafford – and you would never expect that every sailor will stay on the boat during the storm.
But it was flagrant, even result, for the owner of the club to Bodycheck individual players in his interview with BBC Sport. The fact that it was done in such a cool, calculated way, only made it more horrifying.
With that in mind, Mail Sport looks at each of the five players and asks: what does it mean for them?
Andre Onana
Onana may have dropped his marmalade when he tuned to the explosive interview of Ratcliffe with Dan Roan. Me?
He was one of the more surprising names on the list. Not that one of the names was a huge surprise. Criticism of Onana has been intensified lately, while his series Clangers has continued – Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Viktoria Plzen and Ipswich have all benefited.
But there is still a feeling that if he can find consistency, the former Champions League finalist and Serie A winner can be a top man.
Last week he showed it. He remained united in their Europa League last 16 draw against Real Sociedad with late saves to deny Brais Mendez and Orri Oskarsson, and then made several important rescues to hold a draw against Arsenal.
Fans would certainly not throw the Cameroon in the 'Bad Egg' camp. He is also not considered one of the highest earners of the first team and takes home a relatively modest £ 120,000 a week.
Chris Wheeler from Mail Sport wrote on Monday how United should be grateful that Onana is a resilient character that, despite his mistakes and the physical requirements that are imposed on him, has not lowered tools.
Whether he has many months left to use those tools is another matter. Ruben Amorim has publicly supported him and reportedly wants to stay Onana, but United could move to another custodian in the summer if they find the money.
Rasmus Hojlund
Ah, the eternal Hojlund seal. There are few players who would like to see United fans do more, but patience becomes thinner.
The Great Dane went without a goal 20 games. Perhaps the 63-year-old keepers coach Jorge Vital could really get a competition, as Amorim suggested earlier this season.
Hojlund will be the first to admit that he must improve – 23 goals in 80 games are lower than what is expected from a Spits from Manchester United – but time is on his side. He is only 22.
There is also no doubt about Hojlund's application. Wayne Rooney recently spoke about his admiration for his work ethics and believes that it is only a matter of time until the goals begin to flow.
He also emphasized a lack of service at the striker and that is true. Diogo Dalot wasted a perfect opportunity to play Hojlund for an almost specific goal against Real Sociedad on Thursday, something that Paul Scholes 'criminal' burned.
Would United earn back somewhere near the £ 72 million that they paid for him two summers ago? No, not unless they pull the pants from another club in one way or another. Bring an experienced starter and let him accompany Hojlund, as he had in Atalanta.
Antony
Would Antony bother the comments of Ratcliffe? Based on how much he likes life in Spain, probably not.
The Dutchman is rejuvenated at Real Betis, which cover 84 percent of his salary, which seems to look within reach.
Antony has already won three men from the Match Awards on loan with Betis, scored three goals and makes three assists in nine games. What is more, in the speed they win, Los Verdiblancos are an outer scream for Champions League football.
The CEO of the club, Ramon Alarcon, claims that “Antony told me he wanted to stay another year,” he said. “The player is very comfortable here and was surprised by the facilities we gave him to settle in the city as soon as he arrived.”
How refreshing a change in scene has been. Antony looks like a player reborn. He was even tipped for a return to the Brazilian national team, two years after his last limit.
Based on that, why would he care what Ratcliffe thinks of him? The sooner he seals a permanent exit from Old Trafford, the better – especially after the departure of his old ally Erik ten Hag.
Jadon Sancho
As a player, Sancho is the biggest Enigma on this list. After he did not find his feet in Manchester United and drop out with Erik ten Hag, he surprised in the second half of last season in Borussia Dortmund in Borussia Dortmund and reached the Champions League final.
This season was a story about two halves. Believes to be back in his hometown, he hit the ground in Chelsea, with one brilliant dummy that led to an assist for Cole Palmer in his early days.
But productivity has dried up. In the Enzo Maresca system, the wing players are often left behind to do a lot of attacking work in themselves, and that has made things difficult.
Sancho could stay well with United after the summer, believe it or not. Chelsea has the obligation to buy it if they end up 14th or higher, but the blues can withdraw from the deal with a considerable financial fine, has learned Mail Sport.
What is clear is that if he stays, it will only be after reconciliation. He caused a storm when he placed that the move from Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa 'Freedom' represented – Mail Sport revealed that even Rashford himself did not appreciate that.
His public spit with ten hag bothered peace and saw him exiled from training. He left the WhatsApp group of the players some time ago. Healing is required.
Casemiro
How many of you imagine that Casemiro is a Manchester United player this summer? Everyone? No towers?
Let's start with a very respectful explanation, and one that is not recognized enough: Casemiro is one of the largest midfielders of his generation. There is a reason to claim that he was the most important number six of this era while he was in Real Madrid.
There are still flashes of that sparkle. He set a record for this season on Sunday with his nine successful tackles against Arsenal. “UNC still has it,” wrote an observer.
But UNC is not a spring tip. At the age of 33 it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to operate on the requirements of a two-man central midfield, and his versions do not justify his wages of £ 375.00 a week.
If not Casemiro, who was even more Ratcliffe who refers to when he called 'too much paid' players? The Brazilian has insisted that he would be happy to see his contract, but not in a bit speech.
With Amorim hoping to revise his team, the days of Casemiro look strictly numbered.
Lisandro Martinez
Ah, poor Martinez. In his third season in Old Trafford, he is already at the age of six.
Since his £ 56.7 million relocation of Ajax in 2022, he has also had two operations on his foot and has appeared in 58 of the 100 Premier League matches.
This time it is a torn ACL and it could see him put aside until 2026.
The Argentinian has undergone an operation and opened the 'sorrow and helplessness' he felt after tearing his ACL.
Ratcliffe's comments may have only added to the sadness and helplessness. Or at least confusion. When he is fit, Martinez is one of the best artists of the club.
At least he knows that he will probably not be sold in the summer, unless he makes an incredible recovery to pass a medical.
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